Friday, May 31, 2013

Mahiravan

Amongst many untold stories of Ramayan, the myth

of Mahiravan and Ahiravan is one such story. Untold,
as they get added in due course of time, or are
specific to a culture while they remain unimportant for
many. We will analyse this later, but first the story.

After, Ravan lost his brave son Indrajeet in the battle,

he was crestfallen. His mother met him and reminded
him of what he had done to his family and how he
was wrong but his arrogance was not allowing him to
see through the web woven by him. Ravan was not
willing to listen to anything and from anybody.

Before leaving, his mother reminded him of one of his

sons (some texts refer to him as brother), Mahiravan,
who was ruling in the Patala-loka, or the underworld.
Mahiravan had initially decided not to be a part of the
battle, as he did not agree with the kidnapping of Sita.
Mahiravan was the master of occult and was a
devotee of Goddess Kali. Ravan managed to
convince Mahiravan by telling him that if he could
offer Ram and Lakshman as a sacrifice to the
Goddess Kali, she would be happy.
When news of Mahiravan’s joining the battle reached
the army of Ram, they were worried, especially
Vibhishan, Ravan’s brother. Vibhishan knew about
Mahiravan’s abilities to change forms due to his
mastery in sorcery. He warned all to ensure that Ram
and Lakshman were guarded well and appointed
Hanuman to ensure that none got in the cottage of
Ram and Lakshman. Hanuman created a shield by
his tail, around the cottage where the two were resting
and ensured that none could break the barricade.

Mahiravan tried many forms but could not pass

through. At last, he assumed the form of Vibhishan
and approached Hanuman. He asked him to be
allowed in, just to ensure that Ram and Lakshman
were fine. Hanuman, allowed him to pass without
realising that he had just breached the security
created by him. As soon as Mahiravan got in the
cottage, he cast a spell on both Ram and Lakshman,
and took them deep inside the ground. By the time
Hanuman and Vibhishan could realise, they were
gone. Vibhishan was very worried as he knew what
could be the fate of the two. He urged Hanuman to do
something.

Vibhishan explained that the two were taken deep

inside the ground in the patala-lokaand Hanuman
should go the same way. The adventures of
Hanuman in the patal-loka are interesting, but we will
not get into the details of it. It is said that when
Hanuman reached the patal-loka, it seemed to be a
city by itself, with forts and fortresses and guards at
every point. After eliminating all opposition on his
way, he met one, who seemed to be quite a match for
him. This character is known as Makardwaj. We will
discuss Makardwaj in the next part of this article.

On his way to the patala-loka, Hanuman had heard

that Mahiravan was going to sacrifice Ram and
Lakshman to the Goddess Kali in return for more
occult powers. The myth gets interesting here.

Hanuman takes the form of a small bee and

approaches the goddess Kali. He asks her, if she
wanted the blood of Ram. Kali is supposed to have
said that she would rather have the blood of
Mahiravan, than that of Ram. She then goes on to
suggest a way out, which Hanuman whispers in the
ears of Ram. Ram and Lakshman were readied for
the sacrifice and at the auspicious time, Mahiravan
asks Ram to put his head on the sacrificial altar and
ready himself for the sacrifice. Ram said, that he had
been a Kshatriya, a warrior, all his life and had never
known how to bow in front of anyone, could
Mahiravan show him how to bow? Mahiravan was
irritated and tried to demonstrate. No sooner had he
done that, Hanuman who was hiding behind the idol
of Goddess Kali, assumes his form, takes the
sacrificial blade and beheads Mahiravan. Thus Ram
and Lakshman were saved. He then offered the blood
of Mahiravan to the goddess.