DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0462
STORY OF RAMA 377
Indra came also with the hastening Maruts. Ere they
departed, the gods promised that four sons would be
born to Dasaratha.
After this, Indra and the other gods1 journeyed to
the heaven, of Brahma, and spake regarding Ravana2,
the monarch of demons, who had his dwelling in
Lanka.3
Now Ravana had performed such great penances that
Brahma rendered him invulnerable to gods and demons,
with the result that the demon made Yama, god of
death, his slave, and put Agni and Vayu, and the sun
and moon, under subjection; indeed, he oppressed all the
gods and obstructed sacrifices and despoiled the Brahmans.
So Indra and other minor deities entreated Brahma to
deliver them from the sway of Ravana.
Brahma heard the gods, and then conducted them to
Vishnu's dwelling in the Ocean of Milk. Indra and the
others honoured the Preserver, and cried: " O Lord of
the Universe, remove the afflictions which press heavily
upon us. Brahma hath blessed Ravana, nor can recall
his gift. Save us, therefore, from the oppression of the
demon king."
Vishnu spake and said: "Be not afraid, for I shall
deliver you all. Ravana entreated Brahma for protection
against all beings save the apes and men. Go therefore
towards the earth, ye gods, and assume the guise of apes,
and lo! I will divide myself into four parts and be born
as the four sons of Maharajah Dasaratha. When I shall
battle against Ravana, you will hasten to mine aid."
It came to pass that the wives of Dasaratha, who had
eaten of sacrificial food, became the mothers of sons—
1 The Vedic deities. 2iVo». rah'va-na.
He is called a Rakshasa king in the Ramaiana. Ravana appears to be the Brahmanical
conception of Vritra, the ruler of the Danavas or Asuras. Lanka is Ceylon.
Indra came also with the hastening Maruts. Ere they
departed, the gods promised that four sons would be
born to Dasaratha.
After this, Indra and the other gods1 journeyed to
the heaven, of Brahma, and spake regarding Ravana2,
the monarch of demons, who had his dwelling in
Lanka.3
Now Ravana had performed such great penances that
Brahma rendered him invulnerable to gods and demons,
with the result that the demon made Yama, god of
death, his slave, and put Agni and Vayu, and the sun
and moon, under subjection; indeed, he oppressed all the
gods and obstructed sacrifices and despoiled the Brahmans.
So Indra and other minor deities entreated Brahma to
deliver them from the sway of Ravana.
Brahma heard the gods, and then conducted them to
Vishnu's dwelling in the Ocean of Milk. Indra and the
others honoured the Preserver, and cried: " O Lord of
the Universe, remove the afflictions which press heavily
upon us. Brahma hath blessed Ravana, nor can recall
his gift. Save us, therefore, from the oppression of the
demon king."
Vishnu spake and said: "Be not afraid, for I shall
deliver you all. Ravana entreated Brahma for protection
against all beings save the apes and men. Go therefore
towards the earth, ye gods, and assume the guise of apes,
and lo! I will divide myself into four parts and be born
as the four sons of Maharajah Dasaratha. When I shall
battle against Ravana, you will hasten to mine aid."
It came to pass that the wives of Dasaratha, who had
eaten of sacrificial food, became the mothers of sons—
1 The Vedic deities. 2iVo». rah'va-na.
He is called a Rakshasa king in the Ramaiana. Ravana appears to be the Brahmanical
conception of Vritra, the ruler of the Danavas or Asuras. Lanka is Ceylon.