7-Story of Raavan (3)         Previous Page

There was a Rishi named Pulastya who had a son named Vishravaa. Vishravaa had two wives - one of them was a girl from an Asur family named Kaikasee. Vishravaa and Kaikasee had 4 children - 3 sons - Raavan, Kumbhakarn and Vibheeshan; and 1 daughter Shoorpanakhaa. Kuber was his step brother. Raavan was married to Mandodaree, the daughter of Maya Daanav and an Apsaraa Hema. The following names are well-known to people in reference to Raavan :

Meghnaad - Raavan's son
Prahast - Raavan's maternal uncle, Kaikasee's brother, killed by Raam
Atikaaya - Son of Raavan and Dhanyamaalinee, younger brother of Meghnaad, killed by Lakshman by Brahmaastra
Akshaya Kumaar - Raavan's youngest son, killed by Hanumaan at the age of 16
Naraantak and Devaantak - Raavan's sons, Naraantak was the leader of 720 million (72 Crore), he was killed by Hanumaan; Devaantak was killed by Angad
Trishiraa - A 3-headed demon, Raavan's son, killed by Raam

He got several boons and so became very powerful. One day Shoorpanakhaa came to him crying and abusing him that he was a useless king who could not protect his sister. Then she told him the story how Raam insulted her and when his brothers Khar and Dooshan went to take revenge from Raam, how He alone killed them along with Trishiraa and 14,000 army of Raakshas in Janasthaan. Raavan filled with rage and wondered as who was this Raam who could kill his so mighty brothers Khar, Dooshan and Trishiraa. Shoorpanakhaa told him that Raam was the son of Dasharath and had come in the forest by his father's order with His brother Lakshman and wife Seetaa. She also told him that Seetaa was very beautiful and if he did not have Her as his queen, his palace was empty.

He knew that the man had come for whom he was waiting for. So he went to his maternal uncle (Maamaa) Maareech and asked him to assume the form of a golden deer and wander in front of Seetaa so that She is attracted to him. Then she would send Raam to bring such beautiful deer. He would take Raam far from their Aashram, and called the name of Lakshman, so She would send Lakshman to check on Raam. As Lakshman would leave the Aashram, he would abduct Seetaa.

Maareech had known Raam since he was disturbing Vishwaamitra's Tap, so he tried his best to explain him that Raam was Bhagavaan in person, and he should not play such games with Him; but Raavan threatened him that if he would not obey him, he would kill him. Maareech thought, it was better to die by Raam than this wicked Raakshas. So he went there assuming the form of a beautiful golden deer. Seetaa sent Raam to bring him for Her. Raam went to kill him. Maareech took Him far and then Raam shot an arrow at him. While dying he showed his real form and cried "Haa Lakshman, Haa Seetaa".

This troubled Seetaa, so She sent Lakshman to check on Raam in spite of Lakshman's denial to leave the Aashram. As Lakshman went to look for Raam, Raavan abducted Seetaa. On the way Jataayu fought him but he wounded him badly and took away Seetaa to Lankaa. There he put Her in Ashok Vaatikaa and asked Her to be his wife.

Raam met dying Jataayu who told Him that Raavan had taken Her towards South. Then Raam met Hanumaan and extended friendship with Sugreev who helped Him to search Seetaa. Hanumaan found Seetaa in Raavan's Lankaa. He burned the whole Lankaa and informed Raam about Her. Raam took a huge army of Vaanar (monkeys) and bears and invaded Lankaa. Up to the last moment, Raavan did not surrender Seetaa to Raam in spite of many people's advice. In the end Raam killed Raavan and Kumbhakarn, coronated Vibheeshan as the King of Lankaa and brought Seetaa back. He came to Ayodhyaa and became the King of Ayodhyaa.

[]