Reading suggestion – 51 facts from Mahabharat 22. Jambavantha was created by Brahma, to assist Rama in his struggle against Ravana. During a duel with Ravana, he hit Ravana and Ravana became unconscious. He also reminded Hanuman of his prowess, so he could cross the ocean and visit Lanka. Jambvant praises Hanuman 23. Vali was famous for the boonthat he had received, according to which anyone who came before him lost half his strength to Vali, thereby making Vali invulnerable to any enemy. 24. Vali had defeated Ravana as well. Once Ravana called Vali for a fight. He took Ravana in his tail and took him around all the world. Humbled, Ravana called for a truce. 25. Hanuman, because of boons from Surya, laghima and garima, could take various forms. He used them to defeat Sursa, Lankini, Cat in the Ramayana. Hanuman and Sursa 26. Hanuman slain the demon Kalanemi, while fetching sanjeevani herb. Kalanemi was sent by Ravana. 27. Hanuman also defied Sun from rising before time as it would have killed Laxman. 28. Hanuman was also shot by Bharat while flying over Ayodhya.Hanuman accepted the arrow as Lord Rama was written over it. Since he was shot on a leg, he had a limp. 29. Shatrughan is supposed to be the incarnation of Vishnu’s conch. Shatrughna was married to Shrutakeerti, the daughter of King Kusadhbojan and his wife. Shrutakeerti was the cousin of Sita, daughter of King Janaka. 30 Shatrughana killed Lavanasura, a demon who was the son of Madhu. It is believed that Madhu is where Mathura is situated today. 31. Bharat was the husband to Mandavi, daughter of King Janaka’s brother Kushadhvaja and thus a cousin of Sita, who was wife of Rama. They had two sons, Taksha and Pushka. Thus, in the Ramayana, wives of all brothers were related. 32. Bharat is considered to be born in the aspect of the Sudarshana Chakra, the most famous of Vishnu’s Panchayudhas. 33. Ravana’s grandfather was Pulastya, one of the seven great sages or Saptarishis. His father was himself a great sage Vishrava. 34. His mother was the princess of Daityas. Her name was Kaikesi.Kaikesi father was Sumali. Ravana was half Brahmin and half asura. 35. Kaikesi chose Vishrava as herhusband in quest to mother a son who was incomparable. 36. Vishrava was the father of Kubera. Thus Ravana was the half brother of Kubera. Ravana conquered Sri Lanka from Kubera and became the King of Lanka. 37. Ravana was also an excellent veena player and the sign of his flag had a picture of veena on it. 38. Ravana had four brothers. Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna and Ahiravan and Mahiravan. Khara and Dushan are also believed to be his brothers. 39. Kumbhakarna was considered pious, intelligent and brave that Indra was jealous of him. Along with his brothers, Ravana andVibhishana, he performed a major yajnaand penance for Lord Brahma. When the time came for asking a boon (blessing) from Brahma, his tongue was tied by goddess Saraswati (acting on Indra’s request). So instead of asking “Indraasana” (seat of Indra), he asked for “Nidraasana” (bed for sleeping). Kumbhakarna – The Ramayana 40. Kumbhakarna had two sons, Kumbha and Nikumbha, who toofought in the war against Rama and were killed. 41. Ravana also asked for absolute invulnerability from andsupremacy over gods, heavenly spirits, other rakshas, serpents, and wild beasts. He did not ask for protection from mortal men, as he did not think that they would cause him any harm. 42. Rama and Laxman were abducted by Ahiravan. Ahiravan was the brother of Ravana and king of patala (netherworld). The two brothers were saved by Hanuman. 43. Following the capture of Lanka, Ravana pleased Shiva withhis penance. Shiva said to pinnedRavana with his toe, but he offered his ten heads to appeaseShiva. Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave to him the divine swordChandrahas 44. Ravana was cursed by Nandi that Lanka would be destroyed by a monkey. Later Hanuman putLanka into flames. 45 Hanuman defeated his son Makardhwaj when he was guarding Rama and Laxman and rescued the two brothers. 46. Hanuman killed Ahiravan andMahiravan by taking his panchroopi form. 47. Ravana did severe penance to appease Brahma. Brahma blessed him with nectar which could keep him alive as long as itlasted. 48 Vibheeshana told this about to Rama when in the battlefield, everytime Rama cut his head, another head sprang up. On his advise, Rama first dried the nectar using Prasvapana and later killed him. This is important to know that the ramayana puts importance to Vibheeshana, wholeft his brother and helped the cause of Dharma.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:52:26 +0000
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