Rama goes back

Having lived a long life, Rama gave himself up. Many sages went with Rama. Many others wanted to go with Rama, but Rama asked them to stay back.
In Vaikuntha Rama showed himself as Vishnu. Sita came there as Lakshmi.
Rama said Where will the people go, who came along with me?
Brahma said I have created a part of the heaven for them. Also, all those who hear the Ramayana will go there. All vedas are one side and your name is heavier than that.
One who listens to the seven kandas of Ramayana will have the same gain as one gains from the Ashwamedha yagna.

With this the seven kandas of Ramayana end.

Lakshmana banished

Time or Kaala came to Rama in the guise of the sage. Rama was in court and Lakshmana was standing guard. The sage came to Lakshmana and asked for audience with Rama. Lakshmana went to Rama and said there was a visitor. Getting permission from Rama, Lakshmana brought the visitor inside.
The sage said to Rama, I have something personal and private to discuss with you. Promise that if anyone interrupts, that person will be banished for ever. One person is to stand guard at the door and not let anyone inside.

Rama asked Laksmana to stand guard. He said Please stand guard and do let anyone inside. If anyone enters, that person will be banished forever. Stand guard and be careful.

The sage and Rama went inside a room. The sage aid Rama, I am Time. I have come to remind you that your time on this earth is getting over. You need to return to your celestial kingdom.
Rama said he would do the same.

Brahma then sent the sage Durvasa there. The sage came and met Lakshmana. He said he wanted to meet Rama. Lakshmana said Rama was busy and would come meet him, when he was free.

Durvasa was angry and said He would burn the city of Ayodhya if he was not allowed to go inside.
Lakshmana thought If he was able to save the city from being destroyed, he was fine to take the banishment on his shoulder.

Lakshmana took Durvasa inside. Seeing Durvasa, Time left. Rama greeted Durvasa and asked what he wanted. Durvasa said he was hungry and had not eaten for a year and needed to be fed. Durvasa was fed.

Rama was in a dilemma. If he did not banish Lakshmana he would be known as a person who did not follow his word. If on the contrary he banished Lakshmana, he would be dead.

He asked the sages in the court what to do. They said It was proper for Rama to banish Lakshmana.

Lakshmana said It would be proper to listen to the sages.

Rama had tears in his eyes. All people in the city had wet eyes. Lakshmana took leave of all.  He stepped into the flowing waters of the river Sarayu.

Rama was heartbroken. He said there was no point in leading this life anymore. Bharata said If Rama went, he would leave also.

Rama asked Bharata to send for Shatrughna. Shatrughna crowned his Subahu the king of Mathura and left for Ayodhya.

Messages were sent everywhere that Rama had decided to end his life. Vibhishana with his rakshsas and Sugriva with the vanaras came there.

To Vibhishana Rama said Rule Lanka wisely.

To Hanumana, Rama said As long as people remember me, your name will also be taken.

Hanumana said Wherever your name is taken, I will make myself present there.
Rama said By the boon of Brahma You will be immortal. Till Sun and Moon are shining, you will remain here.
To Jambuvana, Rama said Be young again. If I am on this earth again, I will meet you once more,

Rama divided his kingdom among Lava and Kusha and decided to leave. 

Kingdom divided among sons

Rama ruled the kingdom for eleven thousand years. Slowly Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra passed away.

One day the king of Kaikeya came to Rama and asked for his help. His land was being attacked the Gandharva Lomesha.
Rama called Bharata. He said Go to the land of your mother. Defeat the Gandharva and then make your sons the kings there.

Bharata went there and defeated the gandharvas. The sons of Bharata - Pushkara and Taksha were made kings there.

Sons of Lakshmana, Angada and Chadraketu were also made kings. The kingdom of Malya was given to Angada and Chandraketu got the land of Ahshwa.

Shatrughati and Subahu, sons of Shatrughna took over the kingdom of Mathura.

Ayodhya and Nandigrama was divided between Lava and Kusha. 

Grief of Lava and Kusha

Throwing their veenas. the two brothers fell on the ground. How will we live without you? We know no one else other than you. You fed us when we were hungry. You brought us up and when it is time for us to look after you, you left us.

Rama asked the boys to be sent to Kaushalya. The Queens of Dahsratha consoled the boys. Lakshama, Bharata and Shatrughna went to the boys and tried to console them.

The boys were crying away. Seeing no other option, they called Rama. Rama came and all there were in tears.

Rama then decided to tear open the earth and get Sita back. Brahma seeing this came to Rama and said You are the who takes care of all, why do you destroy the creation.

The sages said to Rama, Do not grieve. Listen to the complete Ramayana again tomorrow. You will feel good.

Early morning, Rama sat in the court and his sons They had stopped at Sita's banishment. They sang the complete song about how Rama would banish Lakshamana.

The sages who had come left pleased with the song. 

Sita enters the nether world

It was a month when the song finished. Rama said - I want to know about you, Who are you?
The boys said We do not know who our father is. Our mother is Sita and we are disciples of Valmiki.

Rama hugged the boys with tears in his eyes. He said Why did I ask Sita to leave Ayodhya? O sage Valmiki, You know all and still do not tell me. Please prove Sita's purity and get her home.

People came rushing. They wanted to see Sita prove her purity.

Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra came there. They asked Rama not to Sita's test again. Once was enough.

Rama said If Sita does not prove herself, the people will talk.

He said to Valmiki - Please go to your ashrama. Sumantra will come with the chariot to fetch Sita.

Valmiki left with Sumantra. Sita wanted to know how Rama had greeted his sons. Valmiki told Sita all that had happened and said She had been asked to give a test again.

Sita took leave off all the people in the ashrama and started for Ayodhya.
Sita slowly entered the court of Rama and touched the feet of Rama.

Valmiki said - I am the son of Chavana and go with the name Valmiki. I know and can vouch for Sita's purity. Do not test Sita. Take her home with your sons.

With folded hands, Rama said I know Sita very well and know about her purity. She went through fire in the presence of the Gods. Do not say anything O sage. Let Sita prove herself again in the court.
To Sita - Rama said, Let Ayodhya see your test once again.

Sita said slowly - I will enter the fire once again. You heard the Gods and brought me back, I lived for years in the abode of a sage and there were days when I went hungry. You still want me to go through the test.? Brahma and your departed father spoke about me to you but you still want me to prove myself. I do not want to live anymore and will enter the nether world. Be my husband in all my lives.

Sita said to the earth - Mother, help this unfortunate daughter of yours.

When Sita said this, the earth split up. A golden throne came up. Mother earth called out to Sita. Sita jumped on the throne.

Rama tried to catch Sita but what he got in his hand was a lock of her hair.

Sita once she was inside the earth, shed the body and as Lakshmi, went back to wait for Rama to come back as Vishnu.  

Song of Ramayana

Rama went back with the horse and completed the sacrifice. Gifts were given to all. Valmiki went their with his disciples. Lava and Kusha were among the disciples. Rama gave seats to all. Valmiki called Lava and Kusha and said - I have taught you who to use weapons. You displayed your skills well and even Rama himself had to face defeat in your hands. I also taught you how to sing and use musical instruments. Tomorrow sing the Ramayana that I taught you. When Rama askes you who are are, say you are my disciples. When in the song you come to the point where Rama has to banish Sita, do not say anything to Rama. Come dressed as hermits.

Early morning, the two boys dressed in bark, came to the court of Rama. They had tied their hair and had a veena in each's hand. Rama asked the two boys to come where the sacrifice had happened. All came to listen to the Ramayana.

Every one was lost in the song of the boys. These were two replicas of Rama who could single handedly fight and win a battle, and also sing a song in a melodious voice.
After the first day's song. Rama asked Lakshmana to reward the boys. Gold was brought for them. Wonderful dresses were brought. The boys said they had no need for this.

Rama asked who had composed this. The boys said This is a song listening to which the childless are blessed with children. The fruits of a sacrifice can be achieved by listening to this. Even before your birth, the great sage Valmiki had composed this song. In Adi Kanda is your birth. In Ayodhya Kanda is your becoming crown prince. On the words of Kaikeyi, the king sent you to the forest. Leaving the people crying, you left for the forest. The king died in shock. His body was preserved in oil. Bharata came and performed the last rites of the king. In Aranya Kanda Sita was taken away by Ravana. In Kishkindhya Kanda Sugriva became king. In Sundar Kanda, the ocean was crossed and in Lanka Kanda, Ravana was killed. Sita had to go through the fire and Vibhishana was made king.

When the boys came to the point where Sita was banished by Rama, they were chocking.

Rama falls

Rama was grieving for his brothers when Lava and Kusha decided to return and fight. They shot arrows and the darkness vanished.
It was a fierce battle. Sometimes Rama had to take a step backwards and sometimes the brothers.
Struck by an arrow of the brother, Rama fell on the ground. Rama got up.
Lava shot an arrow and like a noose, the weapon wrapped itself around Rama's neck. Kusha shot an arrow which struck Rama. Rama fell on the ground.

Rama was in pain. The two brothers went to Rama. They started taking Rama's jewels and the crown. Hanumana and Jambuvana, being immortal were senseless, not dying as they were immortal. Taking their prize, the brothers rushed home. They decided to take Hanumana and Jambuvana as their prisoners.

Sita was wondering what had happened to her sons when they appeared. Happily they started telling Sita about their battles and how they had defeated Shatrughna, Lakshmana, Bharata and Rama. They also said they had got two prisoners. As they were huge in size, the brothers had not been able to get them inside the hut so had kept them outside. They then started showing the jewels they had got.

Sita recognized the jewels. She started lamenting. What have you done? You have killed your own father. I am want to go see Rama before the vultures swoon down on him.

The two brothers started crying. Coming outside, Sita saw Hanumana and Jambuvana, tied up. Sita said You have done something which you should never have. Hanumana is your elder brother, He jumped and crossed the ocean for me. You have killed your father. I will consume poison and kill myself. I do not want to live this life. Untie Hanumana and Jambuvana immediately.

To Hanumana, Sita said Please Do not tell anyone about this. They did not know who you were which is why they fought you.

Sita then ran to see Rama, with the two brothers behind her. Seeing Rama, she fell down at his feet and said Please forgive your sons who fought you unknowingly.

The two brothers said Mother, You never told us who our father was. How were we to know that we sons of Rama? We have killed our father and will not live this life. We will kill ourselves by jumping into the fire.

Sita said I will enter the fire first and you can do what you want to, after that.

Three fire pyres were built and burnt.

Valmiki had been meditating and saw blood in front of this eyes. He knew he was needed in his ashrama. He immediately rushed and came to the ashrama.

There were jackals and vultures everywhere. He asked Sita what had happened.

Sita said Lava and Kusha fought and killed their father and uncles. You taught them how to use weapons and see what has happened.

Valmiki said Do not worry. Rama and his brothers will come alive. The others who have fallen will also come alive. I will tell you all. Come inside the ashrama with your sons.

He asked Lava and Kusha to sprinkle holy water on all who had fallen. This was an elixir and as soon as the water touched them, the dead people sat up. Sita was relieved to see Rama and his brothers get up. Valmiki asked Sita to go inside with her sons.

Rama saw Valmiki and asked about the two boys, Valmiki asked Rama to go and complete the sacrifice. When it was time, he would come to Rama. 

Rama comes to fight

Rama with his army reached the ashrama. Rama saw his brothers lying on the ground.
Lava and Kushan heard the noise of the army approaching. They realized Rama was coming and were eager to fight and defeat Rama.
Sita heard the noise and wondered what this was. Sita said I ask you to be careful. I have you two only in my life. If something happens to you, I will not be alive. Do not pick up battles when you do not have to.
The brothers told Sita to go inside and told her not to worry. They then went and changed their dress and picked by their bows and arrows.
The people were amazed to see three Ramas facing each other.
The wise ones said Sita was five months pregnant and Lakshaman had left her in this forest.
Rama thought the same and wondered if they were his sons.

Rama went to the boys and said I am the son of Dashratha. I am amazed to see you two. You look like me, walk like me and have similar weapons like me. Tell me who are you? Are you my sons?

The brothers were quiet. They did not know who their father was. They decided they will go and ask about their father later.

They said Where have you heard that sons fight their father? Are you scared and trying to please us?
Rama said I have big warriors with me and a huge army. Will you alone be able to fight me? When you fall in battle, people will say I killed two boys. Choose whom you want to fight.

Lava said to Kusha - Let us first destroy the army of Rama.
Lava and Kusha started their battle. The horses and elephants were first killed. The rakshasas and vanaras then attacked.
Lava said to Kusha See these vanaras, bears and rakshasas coming to fight us.
They started shooting arrows.

Soon most of the vanaras and rakshasas had fallen.
Lifting a mountain, Sugriva attacked. The brothers cut off the mountain with an arrow, and with another arrow, Sugriva fell. Angada jumped at the brothers but an arrow cut his hourney and he too fell.
Hanumana then attacked with a mountain but an arrow cut off the mountain. Another arrow hit Hanumana and he fell on the ground senseless.
Seeing Hanumana fall, the vanaras started fleeing.

Rama was amazed. he had come with a huge army and now only a handful of people were left.

Lava and Kusha said You army has left you. Most are dead and the remaining have fled.

Rama said I am there and will kill you two. I still fell you are my sons and that is why you are able to display such skills.

The brothers said Do not address us as your sons and thus make us weak. We will fight you.

Rama started shooting arrows. The sky became dark. Not sure what to do, the brothers fled from there. 

Bharata falls

Lava waited and watched Kusha fight Bharata. He thought Kusha is fighting well but he has become proud, having defeated Shatrughna. I will go to him, only when he needs help.

Kusha and Bharata were having a fierce battle. Kusha finished off the army of Bharata. Only seven soldiers were left. They asked Bharata to surrender and flee.
Bharata said A Kshatriya does not flee. Pointing to Kusha, he said See my soldiers want to run.
Kusha said let them go and inform Rama. Maybe Rama will come and fight.
Bharata said I am seeing Rama in you. If I loose today I will not be offended. You have the same skill and strength as Rama.
Kusha said You talk about Rama. What will he do when you fall in battle. If Rama defeats us that will be a blotch in our names. If I leave you, Lava will laugh at me.
Bharata said You talk of Lava. he will not be able to escape from Lakshmana.
Hearing this Lava came and said Lakshmana has fallen long back.

A battle started between Kusha and Bharata. Kusha cut off all arrows fired by Bharata and then finally he invoked an arrow. The arrow pierced Bharata. Bharata fell.

Lava went and embraced Kusha. They went to the nearby river and washed off the blood from their bodies. Changing their clothes, they went to their mother.

Sita said I was worried about you. What happened?
The brothers said The kings that had come hunting are gone now.

The soldiers who had escaped went to Rama and told him about the fall of Lakshmana and Bharata.

Rama fainted. Coming to his senses, he had tears in his eyes.

Sugriva said There is no point in grieving. We should go and fight.

Rama said That is well said. What is the point in me being here when my brothers lie in battlefield.

Getting a huge army ready, Rama started for battle.

Lakshmana falls

The people said to Rama Two boys Lava and Kusha had captured the horse. When Shatrughna had tried to get the horse back, a battle had happened and Shatrughna had fallen.
Rama was shocked. How could this happen.
Bharata and Lakshmana said a warrior went to battle to fight and was not sure if he would return back alive or not.
Lakshmana said I knew something like this would happen when Sita was asked to leave, without any fault of hers. If you permit now, we two will go and get the two boys for you.

Rama agreed. Bharata and Lakshmana left with their armies. They came Valmiki's ashrama was. They saw the ground and realized it would be fierce battle. Seeing Shatrughna lying, they could not control their grief. They said Valiant One, who killed Lavana on the banks of Yamuna, lies on the ground.
The lieutenants came and said this was not the time for sorrow. They got and got ready.

Sita heard the noise of the army. She asked Lava and Kusha what was the noise about.
The boys said Mother Do not worry. It must be a king who has coming hunting. We will go and see what they want.

Pacifying Sita, the boys went to see who had come. Seeing the two boys, the people said it seemed that twin Rama was standing there. If only Rama himself was there, it would have seemed like tree Ramas there.

Lakshmana and Bharata were amazed. They wanted to know who these boys were.

The boys said Our family tree should be of no interest to anyone. There are twelve hundred boys who learn from Valmiki and we are two of those. The sage has gone somewhere leaving us to guard this place. See Shatrughna, son of Dashratha, lying there. He came to fight us and met his end with his army. Who are you?

Lakshmana said We are four borthers and of that the youngest is Shatrughna. Do you think you will escape after killing Shatrughna?

A battle started. While Kusha and Bharata fought, Lava fought with Lakshmana. Bharata was riding on an elephant while Lakshmana was on a chariot. Lakshmana was amazed to see the skills of archery of the brothers and wanted to know who had taught them this. He said I was able to kill Indrajit, the valiant son of Ravana. I did not fear that but today I feel scared of my life. I will not think more and will fight away.
Seeing Lava's battle, Lakshmana's army started fleeing.
Lakshaman tried all the weapons that he knew and all were combated by Lava. Soon Lakshmana's quiver was empty. Lakshaman surrendered. Lava said I will not let you escape back. You will meet your end today. if you can dodge my arrow, I will not kill you.
Lava then invoked a weapon of Shiva. Lakshama fell, struck by that arrow.

With Lakshmana falling, Lava went to assist Kusha.

Shatrughna falls

It was time for the horse to be brought back. Shatrughna was asked to do the needful. Shatrughna was told that the horse had been taken captive. He saw the two boys playing with the horse and asked who they were and why they had captured the horse.
Lava and Kusha said We know you are strong and we also want you to take the horse away. Do the needful but you will have to fight for that.
Shatrughna tried but was unable to defeat the boys. He then asked his army to attack.
Kusha said to Lava, You wait while I deal with the army.
Kusha released an arow. Except Shatrughna all fell. River of blood began flowing.
Kusha said O Shatrughna, where is your army now. I am the younger of the two brothers. Come fight me now.
Lava said to Kusha - You killed the army now let me deal with Shatrughna.
Kusha asked Lava to move back. Shatrughna fired arrows which were easily combated by Kusha.
Shatrughna's quiver was empty. He said I am amazed at your skill. Let this end now. Give me the horse and go home.
Kusha smiled and released an arrow. The arrow struck Shatrughna and he fell.
The brothers went to their mother and said Kings had come to the ashrama. We played with them and are back.

Sita unaware bathed her sons and fed them.

Seven people were alive from the battle. They rushed to Ayodhya to inform about the fall of Shatrughna. 

The sacrifice begins

Rama said Ashwamedha Yagna has many merits and I will perform this.
Getting to know this, Brahma asked Vishwakarma to build a site where the sacrifice would be held.
Vishwakarma went to Ayodhya. He went Bharata and Lakshmana who gave him all that was needed to build the site.
A grand site was built with four pits where the fires would burn. Material needed for the sacrifice were arranged. Huge rooms were built studded with gems and pearls. The Gods came to see this. The site was ready in a month.
All great sages were invited.
Vanaras came to participate and also kings from various places were invited.
Rama sat for the sacrifice. It was necessary for the wife to also sit and participate in the sacrifice. The golden Sita was brought there to sit alongside Rama. Vibhishana came with his rakshsas. The sages who used to run when they saw rakshasas were pleasantly surprised to see the rakshasas bowing down to all.
The horse was got ready to start its journey. Shatrughna was given charge of the horse.
The horse started roaming freely followed by Shatrughna and his army.
The horse reached the land of Parvata and the king there was conquered by Shatrughna.
The horse went northwards towards the Himalayas. The king there tried to capture the horse and was defeated by Shatrughna.
The horse then went westwards and was captured by tribals who lived on horse meat. Shatrughna defeated them. Going Southwards, the horse then came near the ashrama of Valmiki.
Valmiki knew this would happen. He had asked Lava and Kusha to guard the ashrama. The two brothers were skilled in the arts of using weapons of every kind.
The two brothers were playing when they saw the horse near their ashrama. The horse was under a tree. They went close and saw that this was the horse from Ayodhya.
They took the horse, tied it inside the ashrama and went to tell their mother about this.

Ila

Rama said -
There was once a king called Ila. One day, the king went hunting. He ended up on the Kailsaha mountain. There were lovely lakes and trees there. Shiva and Parvati were there enjoying each other's company. They entered a lake and Shiva was transformed into a woman. This was a curse that Shiva had put on the forest, that anyone who came there would become a woman. Shiva andparvati were playing there in the waters of the lake when Ila entered the forest. The moment he stepped there, he became a woman. All who had come with the king became women.
The king, having become a woman, began covering himself. He rushed and prayed to Shiva to relieve him of this calamity.
Shiva said I will not be able to make you a man. Even I have to become a woman when I come here, so why did you come here? Remain a woman.
Ila then begged Parvati and asked her to help him. Parvati said there is not much I can do. Still, I will will help you. You will become a man for a month and then become a woman the next month. This cycle will continue. You will not remember what you did a woman, when you are a man, and similarly you will not remember what you did as a man, when you are a woman.

As a man, Ila went to his kingdom. He lived for a month. Then as a woman he went to the forest. In the forest where Ila went as a woman, was a lake. Budha, son of Chandra, used to meditate there. He saw Ila and seeing her he was lost in love. The meditation was broken. he said he was lost seeing the beauty of the woman roaming in the forest and wanted to have her. Ila agreed and lived for a month with Budha. After a month, becoming a man, Ila went back and Budha resumed his meditation.,
This cycle continued till one day the female Ila became pregnant and a son was born, who was named Pururava.

One day Budha noticed that his beautiful consort suddenly changed into a man. Budha was shocked to see this. He was shocked that he had made love to a man. Getting to know the truth, Budha then asked the sages, how would Ila get rid of the curse and how would be relieved of the sin of making love to a man. The sages said All this had been done unknowingly and would not be considered a sin. If Ila pleased Shiva through meditation, the curse would go away.

Ila then prayed to Shiva by performing the Ashwedha sacrifice, who pleased, restored Ila's masculinity.

Bharata, Shatrughna and Lakshmana were amazed to hear this.

Sacrifice

One day Rama called his brothers and said he wanted to perform the Rajsuya sacrifice. He had killed a brahmana and thus wanted to atone for his sins.
Bharata said - No this is not proper. Rajsuya sacrifice is a cause of destruction. A king Sashadhar had done this and his family was destroyed. When the God Varuna did this, the water animals began dying. When Indra did this, the battle between asuras and Gods started. Sagara, our ancestor, did it and lost his sons.
Harishchandra did this and had to roam like a beggar,
Lakshmana said I suggest you perform the horse sacrifice, Ashwamedha Yagna. In earlier times, Indra had performed this sacrifice as he had killed Vrittasura, the son of a brahman.
Rama said I had wanted to perform the Rajsuya sacrifice but I think now I will perform the Ashweda sacrifice. 

Danda Forest

Agastya said - In the land of Vidarbha, was a king called Shweta. The king meditated in a forest. There were no animals in that forest which surprised the king. Listen to the reason for this. There was a king in Vidharbha, called Nala, who ruled that land. He had a son called Ikshvaku, who took over the kingdom after his father. It was this king who started the solar dynasty, in whose clan you were born, Rama.

His kingdom was taken over forcibly, by his younger brother, Danda. He was a cruel person.

One day he went to the house of the sage Shukra. Abja, the daughter of Shukra had gone to pluck flowers. Shukra was not there when Abja returned with the flowers. 

Danda was smitten by her and grabbed her hand. Abja said she was the daughter of his Guru and it was not proper that he behave in that manner. Danda did not listen. and said he would have her by force.

Abja said that would mean the death of the king.

The king then raped Abja and left. Abja started crying out to her father. 

Shukra coming to know this cursed the king to die.

Fire showers began in the kingdom and Danda and his entire family was burnt to death. The kingdom got transformed into a forest and became known as the Dandaka forest.

This is the forest where we are now.

Rama stayed that day with Agastya. They prayed together in the evening. Rama stayed there that night and in the next day morning he took leave of Agastya. 

Rama in the ashrama of Agastya

Rama then went to the ashrama of Agastya. Agastya gave gifts to Rama, but Rama said as a kshatriya, he could accept gifts from a brahmana. It was the duty of a kshatriya to look after the subjects and give gifts.
Agastya said Rama, You are Vishnu, born on this planet and I have the right to give gifts to that God.
Saying this, Agastya gave many gems and jewels to Rama.
Rama asked the sage where he got these.
Agastya said In the Satya Yuga, I used to pray in the forests on the banks of a lake. One day, when the sun was up, I got up to go and have a bath in the lake. I was surprised to see a dead body lying on the bank. The body had not decayed and looked fresh. When I was there, I saw a celestial being descend there, on a chariot, from the skies. There were many apsaras with that being. They all had a bath in the lake and then they devoured the dead body and started to leave.
I asked them why they had come from the heaven to eat a dead body.
The being said I am Daitya, the son of a king called Swarga. When my father died, I became the king. I gave the kingdom to my younger brother and retired to the forest to meditate. I attained heaven but I was very hungry and thirty. I saw Brahma why this was happening.
Brahma said You did not feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty. From now you will be eating your own body and drinking your own blood. The body will not decay and will come whole again when you are gone.
I asked Brahma when I will be relieved of this.
Brahma said Agastya, the sage will meet you. When you give him gifts, you will be relieved.
Today I am glad to see you. I am free now.
Please accepts gifts from me, that will be my salvation.
Saying this, the celestial being gave me all the valuables that he had on his body.
When he did that, the dead body decayed and vanished.
Rama, these are those jewels. Please accept these.

Rama said Do tell me more.

Owl and Vulture

Rama was ruling in Ayodhya. He decided to visit the sage Agastya. There he heard the screams of birds. A vulture and an owl were fighting. The vulture was telling the Owl that it had occupied its next and wanted it to leave. The owl was saying it had been staying there for many days had seen no sign of the vulture. How could the vulture claim the nest as its own?
Seeing Rama, the birds approached him for justice.
Rama asked the vulture since when it had been living there. The vulture said it was there since the beginning of creation.The owl said it was living there since the day the tree, on which the nest was, came there.
Rama said the vulture was to be punished. When the world was created, there was nothing but water. From that, came Brahma, seated on the navel, which rose from the navel of Vishnu. At that time there were no trees. Trees were created after living beings. Thus the vulture was lying.
The Gods said this was not an ordinary vulture. This is a cursed being who would be relieved when killed by you.
Rama touched the vulture which relieved from its curse went heaven wards. 

Shudra Tapasvi - the low caste mendicant

Rama ruled and there were no untimely deaths in his kingdom. One day a brahman came to Rama with the body of his dead son. The boy was five years old. The brahmana said he had never sinned so why this fate.
Rama said he would do something about this. He asked his courtiers what could be the cause of this?
Narada, who was present there , said - In the Satya Yuga it was the right of only the brahmans to renounce all and go for meditation. In the age of Treta, Kshatriyas could also do this. In Dwapara Yuga the business class could also do that, in the age of Kali, everyone else could. There is a low caste person who has renounced all and has gone to the forest for meditation. This is the reason for the untimely death of the son of the brahmana.

Rama asked the brahmana to preserve the body in medicated oil. He asked them to wait till he returned. Saying this, Rama left. Looking everywhere, Rama found a low caste person performing meditation in the forests.

Rama asked the person who he was. The person said he was a low caste person, performing austerities to attain heaven. Hearing this, Rama cut off the head of the person.

The Gods came to Rama and said what He had done was correct as this was not the rule of the time. Rama said If the Gods were pleased, then the son of the brahmana should come alive.

Rama went back to his kingdom and saw the boy alive with his parents. Blessing Rama, the brahmana left. 

Killing of Lavanasura

One day Lakshmana came to Rama and said the sage Bhargava wanted to meet him. Rama asked for the sage to be brought in immediately and Lakshmana brought the sage and his disciples inside.
Rama bowed down and touched the feet of the sage.
The sage said he had come to express his grief. Rama wanted to know what was the trouble.

The sage said You have killed a might Ravana but there is one who is equal to Ravana. Earlier there was a daitya called Madhu who was a great devotee of Shiva. Shiva had given Madhu a weapon. If Madhu had the weapon in his hand, no one could defeat him. Madhu's son, born of Ravana's sister, Kumbhanashi, inherited the weapon. The son, Lavanasura, is tormenting everyone. Help us by killing him. If Lavanasura has the weapon in his hand, no one will be able to defeat him. Let me tell you more. The king Mandhata, king of Ayodhya, in the olden days wanted to take over the heaven, Seeing him come, Indra fled. The Gods asked Mandhata to take half the ocean and rule over it, to which Mandhata refused saying he wanted the whole heaven. The Gods decided to teach him a lesson. They said Mandhata needed to first conquer earth before approaching heaven. There was a rakshasa called Lavana. If Lavana was defeated then Mandhata could come and talk about conquering heaven.
Mandhata first sent a messenger to Lavanasura but the messenger was driven away. Seeing this, Mandhata attacked Mathura, the kingdom of Lavanasura. Lavanasura attacked Mandhata with the weapon of Shiva and Mandhata was killed.
This is the Lavanasura who had killed an ancestor of yours. Please kill him and help us.

The three brothers stood near Rama. Shatrughna said to Rama - You and Lakshmana have fought many battles. Please permit me to go and kill Lavana. Rama agreed. He said Killing Lavana, claim the kingdom of Mathura as yours and become the king of Mathura.

Shatrughna started on his journey. On the way, he stopped at the ashrama of the sage Valmiki and bowed down to the sage. At that time, Sita gave birth to two twin sons. He asked his disciples to keep it a secret and Shatrughna should not get to know about this. After Shtrughna left, the sage asked the sons to kept on salt and kusha grass. Seeing the boys, the sage named them Lava and Kusha. The boys began growing up in the ashrama.

Going back to Shatrughna, he reached the ashrama of the sage Bhargava and wanted to know how to kill Lavana. The sage said Lavana goes hunting in the morning and leaves the weapon of Shiva at home, That is the time to kill him.

Shatrughna and his army waited for Lavana. They saw the rakshasa return with his kill. Shatrughna attacked Lavana. Lavana tried to go and bring his weapon but Shatrughna taunted him saying Lavana wanted to run away. Hearing this, Lavana decided to fight. Using a arrow of Vishnu, Shatrughna killed Lavana. As soon as Lavana died, the weapon of Shiva vanished.

Shatrughna then setup the kingdom of Mathura.

After that he started on his way back. He again stopped at the ashrama of Valmiki. There he heard two boys singing the song of Ramayana. Shatrughna wanted to know who these boys were. Valmiki said they were his disciples and he was teaching them the song.

Shatrughna then left for Ayodhya. He went and told Rama about the killing of Lavana. Rama was very happy to hear that. 

The Dog and the sage

Lakshmana said to a grieving Rama - It has been seven days and you have been ignoring your kingdom. You will have to suffer hell for this. You will then go the way that king Mriga went.

Long ago the land of Pushkar was ruled by a king called Mrigeshwar. 

The king went to the pilgrim site of Prabhas and there he distributed cows to the brahmans. Among the cows was a cow that belonged to a brahman called Agnivesh. The brahman was meditating and realized that his cow had been given away. He went to the king and saw his cow among the herd of cows. He called out to his cow and cow recognizing him, responded back and came to him. 

The person who had been gifted the cow came running and said the brahman was stealing his cow.

An argument started among the two and the king got to know this. he realized he had unknowling given away a cow which was not his. Not knowing what to do, the king went in hiding.

The two people who were quarreling waited for the king to come. When the king never came, they brahmans cursed the king to turn into an animal.

Rama decided to return back and took over the reigns of the kingdom. The sages came to see Rama and meet him. At that instance, a dog also appeared. The dog was white in color and had been starving. It was limping having hurt a leg and had wounds on its body. Lakshmana asked the dog why it had come there. The dog said It wanted to meet Rama and tell him about his trouble. 

Lakshmana went inside and told Rama about the dog. Rama agreed to see the dog.

The Dog said You are the Lord of the three worlds. 

Rama said You are praising me. Why do you come here, to me?

The dog said it had been beaten by a sage, for no fault of his. Why had the sage struck him?

Rama said justice would be given and ordered the sage to be brought there. 

Rama asked the sage why after having renounced everything, had he hit an animal. 

The sage said The whole day I prayed and in the evening I begged for food. Whatever I got I used to get that to my hut. On the way was this dog who was not leaving my path, so I had to hit it to move it. 

Rama asked the court if they could give justice. The people said the dog was to be punished as the road belonged to no one. 

Rama said he would punish the sage but stopping him from going to the river for his bath. The dog said No, it would be better to give him the kingdom of Kalinja and make him the king.

Everyone laughed listening to this. 

Rama said You wanted justice and needed the sage punished. 

The dog said In my earlier birth I was the king of Kalinja. I was a devotee of Shiva and used to worship a blue Shiva Linga regularly. There was a curse there, and the king when he died would be born as a dog. You think the sage will prosper, but when he dies he will become a dog too. I am relieved as I have seen you. 

Saying this the dog left and then fasted to death, having seen Rama. 

Golden Sita

Lakshmana leaving Sita, left. Sita was alone. This was a forest and Sita could hear the growls of animals close by. She was scared. She started shouting for help, and hearing her voice, Valmiki came there with his disciples.
Having written Ramayana, Valmiki knew this was going to happen. He approached Sita and said he knew who she was. Lovingly he took her inside his ashrama.
The women were very happy to have her. Sita said she was someone who had been forsaken by her husband. The women consoled her and kept her as their own.

Lakshmana had been hiding and seeing what was happening. Glad that Sita was in safe hands, Lakshmana left for Ayodhya. On their way back, the charioteer, Sumantra, said he remembered some old tales. Before the princes were born, Dashratha had invited sages for a grand sacrifice, to have sons. There Valmiki had come and spoken about the Ramayana. There it was told that Vishnu would be born as four sons of Dashratha. Rama would go to the forest. Seeing an empty house, Sita would be taken away by Ravana. Rama would kill Ravana and rescue Sita. Coming back, Sita would be exiled. Durvasa would then come and then Rama would forsake you. I do not know more than this and I had been told not to mention this ever.

In Ayodhya, with tears. Lakshmana went and told Rama that Sita was in the ashrama of Valmiki. Rama was anxious about Sita's well being. Lakshmana said - You are the one who got rid of Sita. Why do you now think thus? Sita is safe. Do not worry. If you want, I will get Sita back for you tonight.

Rama said He would not be able to live without Sita. He ordered for a golden replica of Sita to be made. Vishwakarma make a replica of Sita. It was exactly like her, except it did not breathe and talk.

People asked Rama to get married again, but Rama refused. He said he would spend the rest of his days with the Golden Sita. 

Sita's exile

Taking leave of the subjects, Rama was quiet. He had tears in his eyes. He decided to go for a bath in the river. Going along, he went and stepped into the water, unnoticed. As fate would ahve it, Rama heard two people talking and decided to quietly listen to them. This was a conversation between a man and his son in law. The man was saying - Seeing that you are a good family, I had married my daughter in your house. Why have you driven her out of your house? She has come to me alone, in the night, and is at my house now.
The son in law said - Let your daughter stay in your house. I have no need for her, in my house. She had stepped out of the house and I had no idea where she was. I am not Rama that I will take back my wife, after she has spent ten months in the house of the King of Lanka.
Hearing this, the father in law went away.
Rama heard this and realized that what Bhadra had said was not a lie. Rama went back into this quarters.
He saw a five month pregnant Sita lying on her cot, being served by her maids. They were asking her what Ravana looked like. Sita said she had no idea and only seen his shadow. When the maids asked what the shadow looked like, Sita drew a picture of the floor. Feeling sleepy, Sita lay down on the floor. When Rama came close to Sita, he saw her lying next to the picture of Ravana.
He decided to send Sita away. He came out. He thought - Why father had sent me away because of truth. I need to do the same. The Gods had said Sita was pure. I am know Sita has not sinned but what do I tell the people.
Rama sent for his brothers and told them what was going on in his mind.
He asked Lakshmana to leave Sita in the ashrama of a sage. Valmiki's ashrama was the place where she should be. Sita herself had expressed her wish to live in the ashrama of a sage. He asked him to tell Sita to leave with him and go to the ashrama of Valmiki. You and Sita will go in the chariot and you will leave Sita in the ashrama of Valmiki. Do not take anyone else with you.
The brothers tried to talk to Rama. If Sita is angry and curses the kingdom, everything will be lost. if you want to leave Sita, build a palace for her, and let her stay there.
Rama said that will not stop people from talking.

Lakshmana finally took a chariot and arriving at Sita's quarters, went inside and stood with head bent.
Sita said Are you angry with me? Maybe because I had something bad that may have hurt you, when we were in the forest. Sit and talk to me. Why are you quiet?

Lakshmana said You are the queen and I can come and talk to you when I get orders from the king.
Saying so, he bent down and touched her feet.

Sita asked him, why he had come.

Lakshmana said - You had said to Rama that you wanted to visit the sages. Rama has asked me to take you there. Take whatever you want with you and let us leave.
Sita went to gather gifts for the sages and their wives.

Lakshmana said As per the orders of Rama, we will be going silently. No one should know that we are leaving for an ashrama. Sita's maids wanted to go with her, but Sita asked them to wait. I will be back soon, after meeting the sages.

The whole world was grieving when Sita left. The animals and birds had tears and the trees also stood drooping.  Sita said - Something is not right. Is this because I did not meet Rama and my mother in law before I left.
Sita saw a snake on her left and fox on her right side.
She said to Lakshmana - I see too many ill omens. Let us return back. We will go some other day.

Lakshmana was quiet. He had tears in his eyes. He could not go against Rama's wishes and did not want to hurt Sita.

Lakshmana said Do not worry. We are on the banks of Yamuna.

Sita saw the tears in the eyes of Lakshmana. She said I am scared. What pains you Lakshmana. Please tell me.
Lakshama said It in the orders of the Rama, that I have come to leave you in the forest.
Saying, he told her what Rama has asked him to do, and the reason for the same.

Sita said Why did Rama not say this to me himself? If he did not want to keep me, why did have me go through the test in Lanka, to prove my purity? I am going to kill myself in waters of Yamuna.

Lakshama controlled her and keeping her near the ashrama of Valmiki, he left.

Rama and Sita in the garden

Rama ruled his kingdom. Everyone was happy and there was no illness and famine.
One day he called Bharata. He said to Bharata - I want you to rule the kingdom for sometime. After the battle with Ravana, I am tired and want some rest. I will go to the inner quarters with Sita, leaving you and Shatrughna and Lakshmana to take care of the kingdom.
With folded hands, Bharata said - I have served the kingdom when you were in the forest for fourteen years. There is no fear. Go to the inner quarters and be there as long as you want to.

Happy with Bharata's words, Rama went to the inner quarters. He went where Sita was. HE said I wish to be have a wonderful garden built for you, the king that Ravana had in Lanka. It will have wonderful trees and flowers and I will be there with you.

Brahma hearing this asked Vishwakarma to build a garden for Rama. Vishwakarma went to meet Rama in Ayodhya. He said - Brahma has sent me to build a garden for you.
Taking leave of Rama, he created a wonderful garden, The garden had golden trees. Birds were chirping there. Peacocks danced around. In ponds, lotus bloomed and swans swam around. In the pond were fishes were different color. On the banks were seats at various distances. The garden was lit up always and at any time of the day, it seems as if it was full moon.

Rama entered that garden with Sita. The people in the garden danced and sang and saw to the needs of Rama and Sita. forgetting about the kingdom and the ruling, Rama and Sita were lost in each other, in the garden,
For seven thousand years, Rama and Sita lived in the garden, When the weather was cold, Rama found warmth in Sita's company. When it was hot outside, Rama and Sita found each other's company cooling. Soon Sita was five months pregnant.

Rama asked Sita what she wanted, Sita was quiet. Rama said Sita did not have to be quiet, she could ask for anything, that would be given to her.
Sita said she did not want anything materialistic. She wanted to spend sometime in the company of the sages. She wanted to live and eat with the daughters and wives of the sages.
Rama said he would arrange for her to sent to the ashrama of a sage the next day.

After seven thousand years, Rama and Sita came out of the garden. He sat on the throne and heard people whispering. They were saying things about Sita. Sita was unaware of this and Rama did not want to her either.
Rama asked his subjects what was the matter and all were quiet. A subject called Bhadra decided to speak. With folded hands, he said to Rama -  I will let you know what people have been saying. I am afraid of you and and scared to speak.
Rama asked him to speak freely.
Bhadra said - People have been talking about Sita. They say how could Rama accept a woman who had been taken away by a rakshasa and kept in his house. People are afraid to say anything but they keep whispering among themselves.
Rama was shocked. He asked the others for their opinion.
Seeing Bhadra speak and getting courage, the other people said that what Bhadra had said was true. 

Birth of Hanumana

Agastya said I am not sure what to say about Hanumana. The more I say, less it sounds. Son of the Wind God, Pavana, he was born of Anjana, a female vanara. Let me tell you about his birth.

The vanari Anjana was very beautiful. She was married to the vanara, Kesari. After marriage, Anjana lived on the mountain Malaya with Kesari. One day, Pavana was passing by. He saw her and was enamored with her. He was not able to say or do anything, fearing Kesari. One day, when Kesari was not home, Pavana came and embraced her. Anjana tried to resist but it was futile. Pavana ravished her. Anjana was shocked. What had happened to her?
Pavana said Forgive me. I was not able to control myself, seeing you. Do not worry. A son will be born to you who will be a great warrior.
After eighteen months, Anjana, on the day of a new moon, gave birth to Hanumana. After birth, when the child was being breastfed by his mother, he saw the sun slowly rise in the sky. Thinking this was a fruit, the child jumped into the sky. That was the day of the solar eclipse and Rahu was coming to swallow the sun when Hanumana appeared there and tried to swallow the sun. Scared, Rahu fled from there.
Rahu went to Indra and complained that a new Rahu had come.
Taking his Vajra iu his hand, Indra came to see what was happening, riding on his elephant.
Hanumana seeing Airavata, wanted to play with the elephant. Indra released his Vajra which hit Hanumana. Hanumana fell on the Malaya mountain.
Taking her son in her lap, Anjana became crying. Pavana came to her and Anjana said This is the child born out of sin and now this is the outcome.
Pavana was angry. He withdrew his flow from the earth. With no wind, people were unable to breathe.
Brahma came to Pavana and asked him to save the earth. Pavana agreed. Brahma the asked the Gods to come and bless the child.
Yama came and said the child would be immortal.
Varuna said the child would not fear water.
Agni said Fire would not burn him.
In the end Indra came and said It is because of me that this has happened. From today, your body will be like a Vajra.

Hanumana grew up on the Malaya mountain learning the arts of weapons and the scriptures.
He used to get into arguments with his teachers and was once cursed that he would forget about his powers and the knowledge.

If Hanumana knew his own power, he could win any war in a day.

Telling all this, Agastya took leave of Rama and went back to his ashrama. 

Indrajit

Ravana and his troupe reached Amaravati, the capital of Indra. Indra hearing this, went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu said - In this form, I will not kill Ravana. Brahma has given a boon to Ravana and he will die in my hands. Ravana will not die in the hands of the Gods. For now, go and fight him.

Indra went back. A fierce battle began. Ravana lost his heads in the battle, and new heads grew. Kumbhakarna, who had woken up in Lanka, also joined Ravana. It was a one sided battle. The Gods fought and got defeated by Ravana and his army. Shani, Yama, Pavana and Varuna came and fought but could not stand in front of Ravana.
Meghnad fought with Jayanta, son of Indra and Jayanta had to flee. He went and hid in the nether world taking refuge with his grandfather, the danava called Paulava.
Indra then went to Durga and asked her to help. Durga asked her sixty four attendants to help Indra.
Seeing this, Ravana bowed and said Please return O Mother. If you loose today, It will be a shame for you and me both.
Durga smiled and the sixty four attendants returned back.
A fight between Indra and Ravana started with Ravana on his Pushpaka and Indra on his elephant, Airavata. Indra attacked with the Vajra in his hand and Kumbhakarna came there and said he would eat up the Vajra. He jumped and started swallowing the Gods. Being immortals, they did not die, and somehow managed to escape from his nostrils and ears. Slowly the day came to an end, and Kumbhakarna too went off to sleep. Ravana had Kumbhakarna transported back to Lanka.
Many weapons were exchanged between Indra and Ravana. Soon Indra released a weapon that put Ravana to sleep. Seeing Ravana sleeping, the Gods came and bound him and started tearing at his clothes and weapons.
Meghnad saw this. Rising into the space, he started showering weapons at the Gods. Indra and the Gods were not able to withstand the weapons of Meghnad and had to surrender. Releasing Ravana, Meghnad tied up Indra.
Ravana was pleased with Meghnad.
Ravana and Meghnad then looted and took with them the treasures that they could find. They left of Lanka with the bound Indra as the prisoner.
The Gods went to Brahma and asked for Indra to be released.
Brahma went to Ravana and ordered him to release Indra. Brahma also said to Meghnad the he was pleased with his feat and gave him the name of Indrajit - The one who won over Indra.
Indrajit asked Brahma for the boon of immortality which Brahma refused. Brahma said The one will be able to stop your sacrifice from being completed, will be the one will kill you. Vibhishana knew this so was able to take Lakshmana to destroy the sacrifice before its completion.

Indra was brought there. Brahma said Indra, this happened because of a curse. Once you had destroyed the purity of Ahalya and this is all because of the curse of her husband, Sage Gautama. Brahma asked Indra to take the name of Rama and all his sings would be gone.Indra left.

Ravana the ruled in Lanka. He touched the hair of Sita and whatever life he had, was reduced because of that.

Rama said to the sage - You have told me about Ravana, now do tell me about Hanumana. 

Ravana and Madhu

Ravana was enjoying life, winning battles and capturing women. One day Vibhishana came to him and said - You are lost in your own world and are not aware of what is happening. Our cousin sister, Kumbhanashi, daughter of our maternal uncle, has been abducted by the daitya Madhu.

Ravana said What was Meghnad doing?
Vibhishana said Meghnad was busy with his sacrifice.
Ravana asked What sacrifice is this?
Vibhishana said Under a old banyan tree Meghnad was performing the sacrifice called Nikumbhila. Fasting he stayed in front of the fire and pleased the gods. Agni was pleased and had appeared before Meghnad. Agni had said that if Meghnad completed the sacrifice and went to battle, he would return victorious.

Ravana said Then let Meghnad come with me. We will both go and win over Indra. Then all will worship me. Decking their chariots and picking their weapons, father and son left for the battle.

They crossed the ocean and first went to Mathura where the daitya Madhu was. They dame face to face with Kumbhanashi. She said she had accepted Madhu and it would be unfair of Ravana to kill Madhu and make her a widow.  She said she had a son called Lavana, and killing Madhu would make Lavana an orphan.

Ravana said He would not kill Madhu and would go and win over Indra.
Kumbhanashi went inside and woke Madhu who was sleeping. Madhu wanted to know what had happened and Kumbhanashi told him Ravana had come to kill him. Madhu said he had a spear given by Shiva, and would use that on Ravana. His wife said, You forcibly brought me here and committed a crime, so you yourself have committed a crime. You should not judge Ravana. Do not make an enemy of Ravana. I went to Ravana and have pleased him. He is not angry with you now.

Madhu went and greeted Ravana and welcomed him inside his house.

When Ravana told Madhu that he was going to attack Indra, Madhu decided to go along with Ravana.

Surpanakha widowed

One day Ravana came across a band of daityas and started fighting them, A fierce battle ensued. Ravana defeated the daityas and went home.

When he came home, he was greeted by a wailing Surpanakha. She said Off the daityas that had been killed by Ravana, one of them was her husband.

Ravana said this had happened unknowingly and asked his sister to live with him.

This was the Surpanakha who ears and nose were cut off by Lakshmana. 

Ravana and Rambha

Ravana from there, went to Mount Kailasha and rested there. It was evening. A mild breeze was blowing and the moon was shining brightly. Ravana was alone and wanted a woman. He then spotted the apsara Rambha passing by. He caught her hand and asked her to be with him.
Rambha said You are my father in law, why do you behave thus? Ravana asked her how was that possible.
Rambha said he was the wife of Nalkubera, son of Kubera, thus his daughter in law. As Kubera was the elder brother of Ravana and she was the daughter in law of Kubera, she was thus, his daughter in law also.
Rambha then said she was going to meet her husband and if Ravana left her, she would come another day and be with him.
Ravana laughed and said he would not leave someone whom he had caught.
Rambha pleaded with him but Ravana did not let her go and ravished her.
Rambha escaped and went to Nalkubera and told him what had happened.

Nalkubera said I do not fault you. All fault is of Ravana. Saying he cursed Ravana saying if he ever touched another woman by force, he would die.

Agastya said This was the curse that saved Sita. 

Ravana at Kushadweepa

Agastya said - After this,  Ravana went to Kushadweepa. There he saw a giant. This person had a body the size of a mountain. Seeing this person Ravana asked for battle.
The person said He would make an end to all Ravana's sufferings.
Angry, Ravana started shooting arrows but the arrows, striking the person, bounced off his body.
Seeing his arrows wasting, Ravana was wondering what to do, when this person came and grasped Ravana. Ravana fainted. Throwing Ravana on the ground, Ravana went from there.

When Ravana regained consciousness, he saw no one around. He asked his army if they knew where that person had gone. The people there said the person had vanished into the nether world.

Ravana went where the person had gone. He saw him resting, being served by beautiful women. Ravana tried to touch the women, but one glance from the person and fire came out of his eyes, and Ravana fell down, hurt.

Ravana then asked Who are you?

The person said I do not see any need to identify myself to you.

Ravana said It seems you are only one who can defeat me.

The person said So be it. Saying, he identified himself and Ravana left the place.

Rama asked Agastya - Who was this person?

Agastya said this was none other Vishnu.

Ravana attacks Chandra

The sage continued - Ravana roamed around for combat. It was early morning and Ravana saw the Moon set. This offended him. How could the moon travel over him without greeting him. He decided to go the land of the Moon and fight.
Ravana started his chariot. Crossing his mountains, he came to the spot where Ganga touched the earth as Bhagirathi. Ravana had a bath in the river and proceeded further. He came across Shiva and Parvati and the followers of Shiva. Going further Ravana came face to face with Chandra, the moon.

Seeing Ravana, Chandra started a storm of ice. The army felt defeated. Their hands were becoming numb. Ravana then invoked the fire weapon. Ravana then started showering arrows and Chandra and the stars started fleeing. Chandra went to Brahma and said what had happened.

Brahma came to Ravana said - You have lost your senses. Why do you attack the moon? Leave this place and go in peace.

Not wanting to offend Brahma, Ravana left. 

Ravana and Mandhata

The sage continued - Ravana loved tormenting people. He captured women he liked and if the men protested, he challenged them to duels and defeated them. Then Ravana heard of Madhata, the great king. Ravana decided to fight him.
Mandhata and Ravana began fighting. Mandhata wounded Ravana who fainted. When he gained consciousness, he wounded Mandhata. Two kept fighting, none able to defeat the other.

Brahma sent the sage Bhargava to Mandhata. The sage said to Madhata - Ravana is under the protection of Brahma's boon. He will be killed by a specific weapon. Do not try to kill him now. he will not die but the balance of the world will be disturbed. In your dynasty will be born a person who will kill Ravana.

The battle was without any result. Both went back to their respective kingdoms. 

Ravana in the nether world

Rama asked the sage - What happens to sinners when they die?
Agastya said - Do not worry Rama. One listens to the complete Ramayana will never have to see Yama. Taking the name of Rama was equal to reading the four Vedas.
Rama said - Please tell more about Ravana. What did he do next?
Agastya said - Ravana wanted to win over the nether world. He took his army and decided to attack. Ravana and his army attacked the snakes in the nether world. The snakes ran to Vasuki. Vasuki started using his poison but Ravana using his weapons removed that. He then captured Vasuki and Vasuki agreed that he had been defeated. Ravana then let Vasuki go.
Ravana continuing came across kings whom he easily defeated in battle. He then across a king called Nipata and started fighting him. None could defeat the other. Brahma then appeared there and said it would be impossible to defeat one another, as both had been blessed with boons.
Both took leave of each other.

Staying there for sometime, Ravana decided to defeat Varuna, the God of Waters. He saw Surabhi, the celestial cow there and taking her blessings, he went knocked on the doors of Varuna. Varuna was not there and his sons attacked Ravana. Their arrows pierced Ravana who fainted. Seeing this, Ravana's commander attacked the brothers. The brothers went up in the sky and resumed fighting but were soon defeated.

Having won, Ravana resumed looking for Varuna. He was told Varuna had gone to meet Brahma. Not seeing Varuna, Ravana stole Varuna's noose and left.

Rama asked the sage - Where did Ravana go after that?
The sage said - Ravana heard that Bali was the king of the nether world. Ravana decided to go and fight him. He saw the palace of Bali that had been built by Vishwakarma, on the orders of Vishnu.
They saw a wonderful looking person guarding the doors of Bali. The person was dark in color and wonderful to look at. Ravana went and asked this person where he would find Bali. The person, who was none other than Vishnu, said Bali was inside.

Bali hearing Ravana had come, welcomed him. Bali asked Ravana the reason for his visit. Ravana said - I have heard that you are in the nether world because of Vishnu. Where is that person? I want to defeat him and free you.

Bali said You met him. He is the one guarding my door. There was none greater than Vishnu. This was the one who had slain Madhu and Kaitava and was the protector of the universe.

Ravana decided to go and fight Vishnu but could not see him at the door. He went back to Bali.

Bali realized that Ravana wanted war. Bali captured Ravana and made him his prisoner. When Ravana begged to be released, Bali sent him back and asked him never to return there. Ashamed Ravana left.

Rama asked - Where did Ravana go after this?

Ravana and Yama

The sage continuing said - Ravana kept looking for battle. One day, he came across Narada. Narada said people on earth were unhappy as they had to go to Yama, once their time on earth was over.
Ravana decided to go and fight Yama. Narada decided to follow and see the Ravana Yama battle.
Before Ravana, Narada went where Yama was sitting. Yama greeted teh sage and asked him why he had come to visit him, leaving the Three Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) aside.
Narada said he had come to warn him about Ravana who was on his way for battle.
Yama looked and in the distance he could see Ravana coming, riding the Pushpaka chariot.

Ravana went through the eastern gate. He saw the pious and truthful ones being worshiped. In their earlier lives, the ones who had donated cows to brahmans, were swimming in pools of milk and butter. The one who had provided shelter to the homeless was now relaxing on golden cots.  He saw the ones who had been devotees of Vishnu, being treated with utmost care.

Ravana then crossed to the western and the northern gates and saw people being treated very well. He then proceeded towards the southern gate. This was a very dark area.There Ravana saw people being drowned in vats of oil and some being whipped. Hearing their pleas for help, Ravana went there. Ravana knew that he had sinned and he was affected by what he was seeing.

Rama asked the helpers of Yama to stop the torture. The helpers said they were just doing their duty and giving punishment to the people for what they had done in their lifetime. They said to Ravana that they were also keeping track of his sins and would be seeing him soon.

This angered Ravana. He started shooting arrows at the helpers. Seeing Ravana defeating his helpers, Yama, son of Surya, came out to fight, in his chariot.
A fierce battle started. Yama seeing no option, lifted up his noose, that he carried in his hand.

Brahma came to Yama and said Ravana was destined to die in the hands of Vishnu, born as a human. The noose of Yama would have no effect. Yama kept the noose down. In the battle. Ravana's army fled and soon Ravana alone was there, fighting.
The battle was terrible and none was able to defeat the other. On advise of Brahma, Ravana made himself invisible.

Ravana was happy thinking Yama fled, afraid of him. Ravana l

Ravana and Vali

Rama said to the sage - Where did he go from there.
Agastya said - Always ready for combat, Ravana roamed around. One day in Kishkindhya, he went to Vali's palace and asked for a fight. The people asked Ravana to flee else he would get killed. They said Vali was not present and had gone to perform his evening prayers.
Ravana went towards the southern sea where Vali was deep in meditation. Vali opened his eyes and saw Ravana there. Vali said It seems that your death has brought you here.
Vali wrapped his tail around Ravana and those rose to the sky. Ravana kept shouting asking to be released, but Vali did not care. He kept jumping from mountain to mountain, with Ravana being dashed against the rocks. Vali jumped towards the eastern sea and offered his prayers, Ravana still tied. From there, Vali went to the northern sea and offered his prayers. Ravana was nearly dead. With Vali visiting all the seas, he kept dipping his tail in the waters and Ravana was drinking the waters of the seas.
Going back to his palace, Vali asked Ravana if he wanted more.
Ravana begged for forgiveness and becoming friends with Vali, he left from there.

Ravana released from the dungeons

In the heavens, Pulastya heard of this. He came to Kartavirya. The king came and greeted the sage and said one who is worshiped by the Gods has come to me. I am blessed.
Pulastya said Ravana was a grandson of his and he came to plead for his release.

The king ordered Ravana to be brought there. Ravana came, with his head bent down.

Ravana then went away to Lanka and Pulastya went back to the heavens. 

Fight with Kartavirya Arjuna

Rama said The king was old and did not have the knowledge of the weapon of Brahma, which is why Ravana was able to win over.
The sage said - Ravana knew magic and it was difficult to defeat someone who was skilled in that art.
In the lunar dynasty was a king called Kartavirya Arjuna. Supposed to a descendant of Vishnu, this king had a thousand hands. The king was bathing in the waters of the river Narmada with his women, when Ravana appeared there, asking for battle. Seeing the welcoming waters of the river, Ravana also decided to take a in the water and wash off the blood from his body, which he had got from his battles. With his twenty hands, Ravana blocked the flow of water.
Kartavirya suddenly found himself in dry land. Suddenly Ravana removed his hands, and the water started gushing and the women in the water started getting swept away. With his thousand hands, Kartavirya controlled the flow of the water.  He then saw Ravana in the water, worshiping Shiva. The king sent a messenger to Ravana wanting to meet him.
Ravana saw the king in the water and said to the messenger - Tell your king that Ravana has come asking for battle.
A mighty battle started between the two. Ravana attacked with his twenty hands and his army, and the king fought along, using his thousand hands. Seeing a chance, the king grabbed Ravana by his hands and took him a prisoner. The rakshasas tried to pleed, but the king not listening, took Ravana inside his palace and put him in the dungeons. Ravana was chained up there.
Keeping him there, the king went back to the river. 

Fight with Anaranya

Marutta's sacrifice was something to write home about. He had mountains of gold and even Kubera was jealous of his wealth.

Rama smiled and said - Dear Sage, Do tell me where Ravana went after defeating Marutta. The sage said :

Ravana, always anxious to fight, kept a look out for the brave and was ready to attack them. If the other person accepted defeat Ravana left the person in peace, else a battle took place. Indra, knowing this, had accepted defeat.

There was a king called Anaranya who ruled Ayodhya. Hearing of him, Ravana went to him, asking for a fight. This king was an ancestor of yours, Rama.

Hearing that Ravana had come to fight, The king came out and a fight began. The king was brave and old. He fought hard. Both Ravana and the king were injured in the battle. Seeing a chance, Ravana struck the old king. The king said this was war - one had to loose someday, and win another day. One day someone will be born in my clan, in whose hand you will die.  Saying this, the old king died. 

Clash with Marutta

Rama asked - Where did Ravana go, after the incident with Vedavati?
The sage said - Ravana did not heed any curse or rebukes. He did what he felt like.
A king called Marutta was performing a sacrifice. The brahmans were chanting from the Vedas and the Gods came to take their offerings. Ravana arrived there.
Seeing Ravana, dissatisfied, the Gods left the place, disguised as animals.
Ravana called for out a fight.
Marutta said I do not know you. Please identify yourself first. Ravana said I am Dashanan, brother of Kubera. I rule Lanka.
Marutta said You are proud of the fact that you defeated Kubera and took over his kingdom.
He was able to get up when he realized that leaving the sacrifice unfinished would be a sin. He decided to accept defeat.
With Ravana leaving, the Gods appeared there. They blessed the animals who had helped them. Indra blessed the peacock saying it will have eyes on its feathers. The pheasant who had got a boon from Kubera and got a golden hue and a crown on its head. Swan got a boon to have a moon like hue, as a blessing from Chandra.
Crow got a boon from Yama to be devoid of illness. 

Vedavati

Rama asked Agastya, Please tell me more. Where did Ravana go after this?
Agastya said There was a beautiful maiden called Vedavati. Fair and pure, she was praying in the forests to get Vishnu as her husband. Ravana passing by saw her and wanted her.
Seeing a guest, Vedavati greeted him and gave him a seat. Buring with passion, Ravana asked Vedavati who she was.
She said was the daughter of Kushadhwaja and the grand daughter of Brihaspati. She was born when her father was reciting the vedas, thus she was named Vedavati. She wished to have Vishnu as her husband and was thus praying to him.
Ravana said Why go for a dark God as your husband when I am there. Vishnu is shrewd.
Vedavati said It was not proper to say such words about Vishnu.
Ravana then grabbed Vedavati by her hair and tried to pull her towards him.
Vedavati escaped and jumped into a blazing fire. She said She would be born again and would be cause of Ravana's destruction. In that birth, she would get Vishnu as her husband.

Vedavati was then born as Sita, who got you, Rama as her husband. It was because of her that Ravana died. 

Ravana attacks Kailasha

With his army, Ravana attacked Kubera. Yakshas came to fight. The Yakshas could not stand ground in front of Ravana and had to flee. Ravana then ventured into Kubera's palace. Seeing no other alternative, Kubera came out to face Ravana. Kubera said to Ravana - You have killed my able Yakshas whom I sent to fight you. Why do you want to fight me?
Ravana did not listen and struck Kubera. Kubera started showering arrows and Ravana seeing no other alternative started using magic to combat Kubera. Kubera could not fight an enemy who was not visible. Ravana then ransacked the city of Kubera and looted his wealth.
Ravana then decided to attack Shiva on Kailasha. He parked his chariot in the Shravana forest which was the birth place of Shiva's son, Kartikeya.
Some of the rakshasas asked Ravana not to climb the mountain where both Shiva and Durga were.
Ravana did not listen and continued till he came across Nandi, the door keeper of Shiva. Nandi had a face like a vanara. Seeing him, Ravana started laughing.
Nandi said - I am the door keeper of Shiva. Why do you come here? You laugh seeing my face. Remember, the vanaras will destroy you one day. You will be destroyed one day.
Ravana did not hear what Nandi said to him. Spreading his arms, Ravana grabbed the mount Kailasha and tried to lift it.
The mountain began trembling and the residents ran to Shiva, asking him to help. Shiva smiled and pressed the ground with his left toe. Ravana gave out a loud shriek . Taking his chariot, Ravana fled from there.

King of Lanka

Ravana came back and told his father about the boons. Sumali heard this. Malyavan, who had recovered and Sumali, along with Maricha, Mahodara and Prahastha came from the nether world to greet Ravana. There were four sons of Malyavan who came and befriended Vibhishana and decided to stay with him.
Malayavan said to Ravana - I came back because of you. I was hiding, fearing Vishnu, but with your boons, now you can save us all. Lanka belonged to the rakshasas which was taken away from us. We need to get that back. Send a messenger to Kubera and ask him to leave Lanka or fight.
Ravana said it was not fair to fight an elder. Kubera was his elder brother.
Hearing this Prahastha said - There have been many instances where brothers have fought each other for throne. Listen to me. Indra fought his step brother and became the king of heaven. Nagas are the step brothers of Garuda, who kills them whenever he sees them. You promised your mother, you will get back Lanka. Now, you are going back on your word.
Ravana was agitated. He immediately sent a messenger to Kubera. The messenger said he had come from Ravana who had asked the Lord of Wealth of vacate Lanka, which belonged to the rakshasas.
Hearing this, Kubera went to his father, asking for advice. Vishwashrava said Ravana was now powerful and difficult to win over. It was best, if Kubera left Lanka and lived in Kailasha.
He also sent a messenger to Ravana with his blessings. he said while he was leaving Lanka, he would not give away his wealth.
Ravana was crowned the king of Lanka by the rakshasas.
One day when the three brothers were hunting, they came across the demon called Maya. Ravana asked him, who he was. Maya said he needed to know first whom he was addressing. Ravana said he was the ten headed king of Lanka.
Maya said he was aware of Vishwashrava and then offered the hand of his daughter, Mandodari, to Ravana. Maya also gave a spear called Shakti which traveled at the speed of wind. This was the weapon that had struck Lakshmana. Kumbhakarna also got married to a rakshasa princess who was equal to him in size. Vibhishana married a gandharva princess called Sarama.
The three brothers returned back.
Soon Mandodari gave birth to a son called Meghnad. Seeing the child, the Gods were afraid.
Ravana ruled Lanka alongside indulging in luxuries. Kumbhakarna slept peacefully, with rakshasas arranging for his food, when he woke up.
Drunk with power, Ravana did not care for anyone and kidnapped any beautiful woman he saw.
Kubera sent a messenger to Ravana, asking him to stop tormenting the people. The messenger said it was not good to carry a curse of any one. Once Kubera had seen with his left eye, Durga and Shiva playing around. Hearing this, Durga had cursed him and the left eye had melted away.
Ravana was angry hearing this. He said Kubera was elder to him and should mind his business. Picking up his sword, he cut the head off, of the messenger.
Ravana then asked his army to get ready and decided to go and conquer Kubera. 

Boons for the brothers

Nikasha remained in the ashrama of her husband living a life like humans. One day Ravana was sitting on the lap of his mother, when Kubera came to see his father. Pointing to him, Nikasha said This is your step brother, the lord of wealth. He lives in Lanka which was ours. If you can win him and get Lanka, I will be happy.
Ravana said he would grab Lanka back. For that, he said, he needed to perform penance, please the Gods and get boons.
Along with his brothers, Ravana went and started praying. They chose the forest of Gokarna to pray. Kumbhakarna prayed standing upside down.In the summers, they stood near fire and prayed. In winters, they stood in cold waters and prayed. They forgot sleep and hunger. Soon their hair became matted and they were reduced to skin and bones. For five thousand years they prayed. The Gods were afraid. What did the rakshasas need? They went to Brahma and asked him to do something.
Brahma went to the brothers and asked them to ask for a boon. Ravana said he wanted to be immortal. Brahma said that would not be possible. Ravana said then he did not want anything else. Brahma went away and Ravana resumed his worship. Ravana then started cutting off and sacrificing his heads one by one. After nine heads were cut off, Ravana was about to cut off the last head with his sword when Brahma appeared before him and asked him to stop. Ravana asked for immortality which Brahma refused. Ravana then said if immortality was not possible, then he should be victorious when he fought Gods, Asuras, Yakshas. Brahma said So be it. Brahma said there were the humans and the vanaras left. Ravana said he did not fear them. Ravana then asked for his cut heads to be restored. Brahma said If your heads are cut off, you will not die.
Brahma then went to Vibhishana who asked that he should not sway from the path of truth. Brahma blessed Vibhishana with immortality.
Brahma then went to Kumbhakarna. The Gods were afraid seeing this. Kumbhakarna was ferocious even without any boons. What he asked for something. They asked Saraswati to intervene. They asked her to sit on Kumbhakarna's tongue. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he was to say he wanted to sleep. The goddess entered his throat. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted to sleep for ever. Brahma said So be it. Saraswati left.
When Ravana heard this he appealed to Brahma to do something. Brahma said You brother will sleep for six months, wake for a day, then go back to sleep.. He will have immense strength and appetite. If he is woken untimely, he will meet his end. Brahma left and Ravana and Vibhishana then carried Kumbhakarna back home, on their shoulders.

Birth of Ravana

Rama asked Agastya How was Ravana born of a brahman. Kubera and Ravana are brothers, but why did they differ so much in their characters?
Agastya said Listen while I tell you about the birth of Ravana.
Pulastya was the son of Brfahma. He spent his life meditating. The apsaras wanted to win him but the sage was not moved. Soon, a daughter of a sage, who was incomparable in beauty, came there. She tried to woo over the sage but was unable to. Disturbed, the sage cursed her to become pregnant, This did not deter her, she still kept disturbing the sage. The sage then cursed her and milk started flowing from her breasts. The girl ran to her father.
The sage went to Pulastya and asked for the reason for the curses. Pulastya said he was being disturbed time and again by this girl. The sage said his unmarried daughter becoming pregnant would not be looked upon well. He asked Pulastya to do something. Pulastya said he could not think of anything. The sage then asked Pulastya to marry his daughter. Pulastya agreed.
Soon the marriage took place. The girl looked after Pulastya well and served him with devotion. Pleased Pulastya said You were cursed by me to become pregnant and the child that will be born will be equal to none. He will be a very learned person.
A son was born who was called Vishwashrava. Vishwashrava, when he grew up, married the daughter of the sage Bharadwaja called Lata. Kubera was born as the son of Lata.
Kubera did austere penances and Brahma pleased with his devotion granted him immortality. The other Gods blessed Kubera and made him the God of Wealth. He was given the chariot called Pushpaka which had been crafted by Brahma himself.
Pleased, Kubera went and told his father all this. Vishwashrava asked Kubera to occupy Lanka, from which the rakshasas had fled.
The rakshasas hiding in the nether world saw Kubera flying in his Pushpaka and living in Lanka.  They were filled with rage. Lanka was theirs. They then thought, If Vishwashrava had another son, then they had a chance of getting Lanka back.
Malyavan's daughter was sent for. Her name was Nikasha and she was very beautiful. She was asked to go and entice the sage and in turn get a boon of sons from him.
The sage was meditating in the evening when Nikasha approached him. The sage asked her who she was and she said she was someone who wanted a son. The sage said You can live here with me. You will have three sons and a daughter. The eldest will be a strong one who will win over worlds. The middle one will have great appetite. The daughter will be born next who will be ugly and also characterless. Nikasha hearing this was hurt. Is that all that is my destiny? These are your sons, will they not have your characteristics? The sage said you approached me when the fire was being extinguished. This is an evil moment. The last child born to you will be a righteous person who will save your dynasty.
Soon it was time for the children to be born.
The first child was born with with ten heads and twenty hands. This was Ravana. The next came Kumbhakarna. As soon as he was born, he ate up the women who had come to help in the child birth. The daughter, born next was very ugly. This was Surpanakha who had a very sharp nose. Vibhishana was born in the end.
The rakshasas, happy, came to see the children.

Vishnu fights the rakshasas

The Gods went to Vishnu. They narrated to him the trouble they were facing because of the Rakshasas. Vishnu told them to go back. He would do something.
Narada hearing this went to Lanka. On the gem studded throne, the three rakshasa brothers were seated. Seeing Narada, they got up, bowed to him and offered their seat. They asked the sage for reason for his visit.
Narada said he was a well wisher of theirs and had come to warn them that Vishnu had pledged to kill them.
After Narada left, Brahma went to Lanka. The brothers greeted Brahma and asked for the reason for the visit. Brahma said You are dear to me, as you always pray to me. I want you to rule in peace. That is my wish but you never abide by that and are always performing evil deeds. The Gods are not thinking ill of anyone then why do you attack the Gods and take their places away from them. Anyone who is jealous of the Gods and the Brahmans, invites misfortune. Leave your ways else Vishnu will put an end to you.
Saying this Brahma left. Malyavan said the the three brothers could kill Vishnu together. Sumali said he had heard Vishnu was very strong. He had killed rakshasas like Hiranyakashipu. Who could kill one like this? Mali said a war was needed. The three brothers would have fight united. First target would be Vishnu, then other Gods, brahmans and enlightened people. Then the heaven would be won.
Chariots were made ready and the three brothers attacked Vaikuntha. Vishnu appeared riding on Garuda. A fight started with weapons being showered on Vishnu which was combated by him. The army of rakshasas fell. Sumali and Mali then hit Garuda on his head. Garuda, hurt, started fleeing. Vishnu managed to calm Garuda and steer him back.
With his discus, Vishnu cut off the head of Mali. Malyavan and Sumali, seeing this, fled. Going some distance, they decided to return back. Malyavan said he would kill Vishnu. Vishnu said he had promised the Gods that he would end the lives of the rakshasas. With a fiery weapon, Vishnu burnt Malyavan. Seeing this, the rakshasas fled to the nether world. Lanka was empty.
Vishnu made Kubera king of Lanka.  

Delay in posts

Going through a rough patch and will not be in a position to post anything for a month

The Elephant and the Tortoise

Rama asked the sage - Why did Garuda fight with Pavana?
The sage said There was once a brahmin who had accumulated a lot of wealth. When he passed away his two sons wanted the wealth. They constantly fought with each other. The younger son wanted the wealth to be equally divided which the elder son refused.
The younger son then went to Vashistha and asked the sage to intervene. The sage asked him to talk to talk to his brother and get a small share of the wealth.
The elder brother got angry. He said Why did you involve an outsider. I have told you I will not give you any share. You have become greedy. Become an elephant and roam in the forests.
The younger brother then cursed the elder one to become a tortoise and live in the sea.
Having become an elephant, the younger brother put all the wealth in the forest, but as he could not do anything, it wasted away.
One day the elephant went to the same sea where his brother was living. The tortoise seeing his brother, pulled him by his trunk to pull him and drown him. The elephant tried to drag the tortoise onto the land. This continued for years with no one winning.
Garuda was flying in the sky when he saw this. He heard the elephant cry out to Vishnu to help him end his life. Garuda picked up both the elephant and the tortoise and looked out for a place where he could sit and quietly make a meal out of them. He saw a huge banyan tree and sat on that.
The tree was not able to withstand his weight and began falling down. On the tree were sages meditating. Trying to ensure that nothing happened, Garuda held the tree in his beak and the elephant and tortoise in his hands. Safely keeping the sages on land, Garuda threw the tree away. The tree landed in the land of the chandalas causing the death of many, who then went to heaven dying in the hands of Garuda,
Garuda then went to Brahma and asked where he should sit and eat. Brahma asked him to sit at the peak of the Sumeru mountain.
Garuda went there. When he was about to start, Pavana came there and wanted to know why Garuda had come there. He asked Garuda to leave. When Garuda refused, Pavana said he would break the mountain peak on which Garuda was sitting. Garuda then covered the mountain peak with his wings. Pavana angry started a huge storm. It was like the entire creation would end. Brahma went to Pavana with the other Gods and asked him the reason for this. Pavana refused to stop and Brahma then asked Garuda to remove his wings, which he did. The peak of the mountain fell in the sea and stood still, with a big portion above the sea level.
This is the peak on which Vishwakarma built Lanka and where Malyavan ruled.
Malyavan was always fighting and tormenting the devas. The Gods went to Shiva and asked him to intervene. Shiva said he wouldnot be able to do anything, but the rakshasa would die soon, because of his deeds. Shiva asked the Gods to go to Vishnu and ask for help. 

Fruits from fourteen years and birth of Rakshasas

Starting his tale, he asked Rama - Before I tell you about the rakshasas, please tell me how you fought the rakshasas. Who killed whom?

Rama said Of the principal rakshasas, I killed Kumbhakarna and Ravana, and Atikaya and Indrajit were killed by Lakshmana.

The sage said Indrajit was a great warrior. He had bound Indra and taken him captive. Brahma had to come and beg for his release. He had knowledge of nearly all weapons. As Lakshmana was able to defeat him, he must be the greatest of warriors.

Rama said Kumbhakarna andRavana were great warriors. The Gods were not able to defeat them. Why then do you talk about Indrajit leaving them?

The sage said No ordinary person could have killed Indrajit. Only that person who had not slept for fourteen years, not seen the face of a woman for fourteen years or eaten for fourteen years could have killed Indrajit.

Rama said I myself gave food to Lakshmana. We lived in the forest with Sita. How then did Lakshmana not see her face. Lakshmana would retire for the night in his hut. How then did he not sleep?

The sage said, Call Lakshmana and ask him these questions.

Rama asked Sumantra to get Lakshmana.

Lakshmana was sitting with Sumitra when Sumantra went there. Lakshmana wondering what Rama wanted to know, went with Sumantra.

Rama said to Lakshmana - I will ask you a few questions. Please answer them in front of all. For fourteen years we lived together. How then did you not see the face of Sita? You used to collect fruits for all and that was then divided among us, then how did you live without food. Also, you used to live in a separate hut, so when you used to go there in the night, did you not sleep?

Lakshmana said - Listen O lotus eyed one. When Ravana captured Sita, we roamed the forests looking for her. On the mountain we met Sugriva who gave us some ornaments of Sita. When you asked me to identify her jewels, I was not able to identify her necklace or earrings but I recognized her anklet. I had seen only Sita's feet.
Listen about my sleep. When you and Sita used to stay in your hut, I used to stay outside and guard with my weapons. When the goddess of sleep had come to me I had asked her to excuse me for fourteen years. I had told her to come to me when Rama had become king. When I held the umbrella over your head, sleep caught up with me then.
When I got fruits from the forest, you used to divide them into three and give me a portion of that. You used to tell me to take the fruit but never asked me to eat them. Without your word, how could I do so. The fruits are kept in our huts.

Rama asked Hanumana to go and fetch the fruits. Hanumana went to the place where the fruits were kept. He looked at them and said this quantity of fruit could have been brought by anyone. Why did Rama choose me?
As soon as he became proud, the weight of the fruits became heavy. Hanumana was unable to lift the fruits. He came back tired and frustrated and told that he was unable to get them. Rama then asked Lakshmana to fetch them. Lakshmana then went and got them easily.
Rama asked Lakshmana to count the fruits. There were fruits of seven days missing. Rama wanted to know what happened on those seven days.

Lakshmana said On day one, we had got the news of the demise of our father and we did not get any fruit. The day Sita was captured, we did not eat. The day we were bound by the snakes, we did not eat. The day Indrajit cut off the magical Sita, we did not eat. The when we were bound by Mahiravana, we did not eat. The day I fell hurt from the weapon of Ravana, I could not get any fruit. For the seventh day, that was the day when Ravana was killed. We were so happy, we forgot about food.
If you remember, when we were with Vishwamitra, we had the boon of controlling hunger. You may have forgotten the mantra, but I remember that.

Rama hugged Lakshmana.
To Agastya, Rama said You are great, You know what is in the minds of people. Please tell me about the rakshasas. I have heard that Ravana was a son of a brahmin. How then did he become a rakshasa.

Agastya said he would gladly tell.

When Brahma started his creation, the creatures created asked their creator their purpose.
Brahma said I would be creating more living beings on this earth. You would be their guardians. A few of them wanted to control all and were cursed by Brahma to become rakshasa.
A rakshasa named Heti wed a daughter of Brahma. They had a son. They left that child on a mountain and kept enjoying the company of each other.
The child began crying, and the cries were heard by Shiva. Taking pity on the child, Shiva asked the child to grow up as a handsome lad learned in all scriptures. The child transformed into a young handsome man. Parvati blessed this person and he became known as the father of rakshasas.
He got married and had three sons - Mali, Sumali and Malyavan.

Praying to Brahma they asked for control over there worlds. Brahma said they would have control till they would get defeated by Vishnu.
They got married and soon children were born to them. One of them was the rakshashi Kaikesi, who later became the mother of Ravana.

They then began attacking the heavens and captured Vishwakarma. They asked him to build a city for them. Vishwakarma was worried.
He then remembered the fight between Garuda and Pawana. A chunk of the Chitrakoota mountain had broken off and fallen into the ocean. It was huge and even the wind and Gods did not dare go there. This was Lanka. Vishwakarma converted this into a brilliant city surrounded by the ocean on all sides,

This city was handed over to the rakshasas who happily setup their kingdom there. This was later ruled by Ravana.

Uttar Kanda - Beginning

The dusky lord is clad in yellow. On his neck he has a garland of flowers. On his head he has a shining gem. On his ears he wears fish shaped earrings. The body with long shoulders is anointed with sandal paste. With Angada, Jambuvana, Bharata and Shuatrughna, Narada is singing praises of the lord. He is surrounded by Hanumana, Vibhishana and Sugriva.
The glory of the lord is great.
This is Narayana in the form of Rama who is worshiped by all Gods. The lord who is born on earth to kill Ravana.

Rama got up from his throne and greeted the sages and asked how things were. The sages said all was well and they hoped that all was well with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. They said they had heard of Rama's adventures in the forests.

They said there was the sage Agastya who was sitting on the right. He knew all about the rakshasas and would gladly tell about their history.

Rama said he would be very to hear about that.