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Continued
from yesterday’s instalment
 Rama who was listening to the story of Ravana from sage Agasthya grew curious. 'Your account of Ravana is really informative,' he said. 'But I am surprised that there was not a single soul who could defeat him. Were there none who could emerge victorious in a war against him or have you not yet related such incidents to me?' he asked.
'Yes, there were two in the past who outmatched Ravana,' continued the sage. 'One was Karthaviryarjuna, the thousand shouldered king and the other one is Vali. Ravana was always looking for stronger persons reputed for their might. He would go to them of his own and challenge them for a combat. He heard of Karthaviryarjuna's prowess and went to his city, seeking a battle with him to establish his supremacy. But at that time it so happened that Karthaviryarjuna was relaxing in the banks of Narmada, with the women from his
gynaecium.'
Ravana went to the banks of the river Narmada in search of Karthaviryarjuna. When he reached there and was offering puja to Lord Shiva, he was amazed to see that the flow of the water stopped suddenly and in fact even started flowing in the opposite direction. His ministers Suga and Sarana found out that it was Karthaviryarjuna who was stopping the flow of the river with his hands - a thousand of them. Ravana was enraged that his puja was interrupted by this act of Karthaviryarjuna and wanted to go on war with him that very moment. Despite being advised by his ministers that he should be patient and should wait till the next day as Karthaviryarjuna was in the company of women and was relaxing and that that was not right or fair to challenge him for war. He was so blinded by his rage that he persisted and sent word to Karthaviryarjuna of his intention.
The army of Ravana swept in and gained an upper hand in destroying the forces of Karthaviryarjuna, initially. Undaunted, Karthaviryarjuna who was still in the river, walked to the banks, vanquished the deputies of Ravana and engaged him in a single combat. Ravana was hit on his chest with a mace and reeled from the blow. Karthaviryarjuna held him by his thousand valiant arms captured Ravana, took him to his city and imprisoned him.
 Vibishana who came to know that Ravana has been imprisoned was overtaken by grief and it was he who went to Brahma with the message and requested his help in securing the release of Ravana. Brahma was once again pushed into the difficult position of having to save Ravana because he had His boons to protect him. He appeared before Karthaviryarjuna and pleaded with him to leave
Ravana.
'You have secured an absolute victory over Ravana, who has established his might over all the three worlds.
'Eriya valiyE ini unakku amayum.' You have gained indisputable repute in subduing Ravana. That should hold your name high forever.
'irAvaNan than mEl sIriya sItram thavirndhu avanaich chirai viduga,' requested the Lord.
It was due to the greatness of Karthaviryarjuna that Ravana was released from the prison. He did not demand anything from Brahma in return for the release, as did Indrajit when he was requested Him to release Indra from his hold. As a victor, he could have taken all that Ravana had won earlier. But he did not. It was his sheer respect for Brahma and his magnanimity that were responsible for Ravana's release.
But this inglorious defeat never troubled Ravana. We will see later how he reacts when Vibishana corners him in the war council, quoting this incident, when he brags about his prowess, refusing to send Sita back.
More follows...
Published on 30th July 2002
Hari Krishnan
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