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Shree Raam Charit Maanas |
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| Maanas-Biographies | ||
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Raavan 2 - Who was Raavan? Who was Raavan? There is also a story about this. Once Sanakaadik Muni came to Vaikunth to see Shree Hari. Sanakaadik Muni are four, look like a 5-year old child, but are the oldest in Brahmaa's children. They are the first creation of Brahmaa. Hari had two gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, who did not recognize them and asked who were they and whom did they want to see? At this Muni got angry and gave Shaap to them "You don't know etiquettes, you don't have the qualities to live in Vaikunth. Go and be born as Raakshas." In the meantime Hari came out with Lakshmee Jee to welcome them. When He heard about the Shaap, He asked for their forgiveness from them as it was His own mistake. So they told Hari to decide everything for them Himself. Shree Hari said - "You will be born as Raakshas for three lives. I myself will free you from this Shaap." Then Jaya and Vijaya asked for a favor from Him, that they should not forget Brahm knowledge in their Shaap time. Thus they were born three times in three Yug - as Hiranyaaksh and Hiranyakashyap in Sat Yug (they were killed by Varaah Avatar and Nrasinh Avataar respectively); as Raavan and Kumbhkarn in Tretaa Yug (they were killed by Raam); and Shishupaal and Dantvakra in Dwaapar Yug (they were killed by Shree Krishn). How Raavan was born? After a time, a Raakshas named Sumaalee emerged. Once he took his daughter who resembled Lakshmee Jee (without Her lotus), around in search of a groom for her. He saw Kuber (Devtaa of Wealth) going in his Pushpak Vimaan. Kuber was Pulastya Rishi's son. Sumaalee asked him - "Which is the best way to enhance our power." Kuber thought for a moment, then said to Sumaalee's daughter Kaikasee, as it was her name - "Dear daughter, it is the time for your marriage now, so seek the blessed Pulastya's son Vishravaa and choose him as your husband, Surely you will beget sons equal to Kuber and rivaling the Sun. Hearing this the young girl went to seek out Vishravaa who was undergoing his Tap. At that time the twice-born, the son of Pulastya was engaged in Fire sacrifice. Heedless of the late hour, the young girl presented herself before the ascetic and with her eyes cast down. She started scratching the surface of the earth from time to time with her toe. Seeing that beautiful girl, Muni (ascetic) asked - "Who are you and what is your motive to come here? Tell me the truth." Kaikasee said - "I have come here at the command of my father. Kaikasee is my name. You must know the rest yourself." Muni said - "I know well. But you just wait for a few minutes as this hour is not auspicious. Shiv's Gan are wandering around. This late hour (at dusk interrupting my penance which is inauspicious) will bring forth a son of Raakshas Vritti (nature)" But Kaikasee was full of lust at that time so she started pulling Vishravaa's cloth. At last Vishravaa had to get up and satisfied her. After that he took bath and came back to his Agnihotra. Vishravaa said - "You have not done this good. Now Kaikasee came to her senses and fell on his feet and requested him - "I don't want such sons. Please be gracious to me." But nothing could be done. After some time she gave birth to a child of Raakshas look - dark complexioned, ten-heads, large teeth, copper-hued lips, fiery-red hair. Devtaa let loose a rain of blood and the Sun ceased to shine. His father named him Dashagreev (ten-headed). Then was born Kumbhkarn and after him was born their sister Shoorpankhaa. Kaikasee's last child was Vibheeshan. When this child was born, flowers fell from the heavens and an Akaashvaanee (Divine voice) said - "Excellent, Excellent". After some time Vaishravan, Swaamee of Wealth (Kuber) went to visit his father. Kaikasee called her son Dashagreev and said to him - "O my son, Look at Vaishravan, your brother, he is of the same family as yours. You should also become like him. At this Dashgreev vowed - "I swear to you, Maa, that I will surely become equal to my brother if not superior to him." Then he with his brother Kumbhkarn went to his lovely hermitage of Gokarn. There he got Var of unsurpassed victory from Brahmaa Jee.
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