32. Mandodari's Advice (Devotional)

      After Sita's abduction, Ravana took her to Lanka and held her captive in Ashok Vatika which is a beautiful garden in his kingdom. Ravana wanted to show off his kingdom's beauty to her. Sita sat under a tree in Ashok vatika and was waiting for Rama to rescue her. Ravana didn't want to own Sita forcibly. He kept  strict security around her and allotted many maids to serve her. He was proposing her everyday to be his queen to which Sita was rejecting. Ravana's wife Mandodari advised him not to do this sin and to give Sita to Rama and make friendship. Ravana was too arrogant and refused. Mandodhari asked Ravana what if Rama found out Sita's where abouts and declared a war on Lanka. Ravana was so confidant that he can win Rama. Then Mandodari reminded him two incidents.

      Once king Karthaveeryarjuna (Refer Parashuramavatar) went to river Narmadha with his beautiful wives to play water games and to bath . With his powerful thousand hands he stopped the flow of water in the river, entered the river and started playing in the water with his wives. Without knowing this, Ravana also came to the same river noted the flow in the river was very less. So he put a tent on the bank of the river and entered the river had a good bath, sat near his tent, started to perform Shiva Puja. Karthaveeryarjuna decided to finish his water game after some time and and go back to his palace. So he removed the blockage of water and allowed the flow in the river. The stopped water flew with great force in the river and affected Ravana’s Shiva puja. His tent was taken away by the force of flood. Ravana was very furious at the sudden flow of water in the river and understood that it was the work of Karthaveeryarjuna. He ran towards Karthaveeryarjuna to hit him. Karthaveeryarjuna lifted him with his fingers without any effort as if he was lifting a tiny creature even before he could start the fight, took him to his capital city Magishmathi and imprisoned him. Ravana had to be in the prison for many years. After some years Karthaveeryarjuna took pity on him and released him from the prison. Later Karthaveeryarjuna was killed by Parashurama (Refer Parashuramavatar). Parashurama accepted his defeat to Rama (Refer Sita's Swayamvaram). So Mandodari asked Ravana how he can win over Rama as he couldn't even stand a chance with Karthaveeryarjuna.

      Ravana had a son named Meghanath. One day Ravana mentioned Meghanath that he defeated all his enemies and should teach a lesson to Indra now. Ravana advised Meghanath to go and fight with Indra. They both fought went to heaven and challenged Indra for a battle. After a terrible battle, Indra lost and was brought to Lanka as prisoner. Ravana chained Indra to a big pillar and made him an object of fun. Finally he released Indra by request of Lord Brahma. Meghanath was given the title of 'Indrajit' (who won over Indra). People in Lanka were celebrating the victory. Sage Narada came to Ravana and praised him. Narada told Ravana that everyone in the world praising him except one. Ravana got angry and asked who as that. Narada told him that's its a big monkey named Vali ho is the king of Vanaras. Ravana pledged that he will defeat Vali and bring him to Lanka for the children to play with. He ordered his son and soldiers to get ready for battle. Narada laughed and said that it is shame to use a big troop of soldiers to fight with a monkey. So Ravana himself set out immediately to fight with Vali alone.

      Ravana and Narada reached Vali's place and Narada showed Vali to Ravana who was frightened by seeing a huge monkey. Vali was praying at that time. Ravana regained his confidence and challenged Vali to fight. As Vali was busy in praying, he didn't mind Ravana's words. Ravana was screaming a lot disturbing Vali's prayer. So Vali took Ravana in a hand and tied him with his tail. Ravana couldnt move any part of his body. Vali continued his prayer and went to all rivers to take bath. All the time Ravana was tied to hs tail helplessly. Finally when Vali reached Kishkindha, other Vanaras saw Ravana and asked Vali about him. Then Vali remembered and released him. Vali asked Ravana what was the matter. Ravana couldn't say anything except requesting him his friendship. From then Vali and Ravana became friends. Mandodari asked Ravana that he failed in battle with Vali and how can he win over Rama who killed Vali. Still Ravana was not convinced and was ready to fight with Rama.