Reading Notes: Ravana Humbled

 


Ravana Humbled

Ravana happens to disturb Mount Kailasa while Shiva, the God of Destruction, and Parvati, the Mother Goddess, are arguing. Shiva presses down harshly with his toe whenever he discovers Ravana and traps him beneath the mountain. Shiva is impressed by Ravana's courage, and gives him the sword Chandrahasa.

Ravana travels to the city of Mahishamati where Kartaveerya Arjuna is king (note: not the character in The Mahabharata who is also called Arjuna). Arjuna is bathing in the Narmada river. Whenever he is provoked by his wives, he uses his arms to block the flow of the river.  Ravana, meanwhile, is worshiping a Shiva linga, but whenever Arjuna blocks the flow of the river, the flood of waters washes it away. Ravana, who is angered by this, challenges Arjuna to a fight, and Arjuna wins. Ravana's grandfather, Pulastya, begs Arjuna to set Ravana free. Arjuna decides to free him and pledges friendship with him.

Ravana then travels to Kishkindha. The monkey Vali (who we read about in The Ramayana) is engaged in prayer, so he does not acknowledge Ravana. This makes Ravana very angry. He grabs Vali's long belt, but then he gets tangled. As Vali leaps from one side of the river to the other and plunges into the water, he drags Ravana behind him. He even carries Ravana to the Himalayas. When Vali finally realizes what has happened, he sets Ravana free and vows friendship with him.

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