[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c7.2991 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2991 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c7.2991 - **Language:** English ### [c7.2991](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2991) 4) Kumbhakarṇa secured boons. Kumbhakarṇa spent his childhood with his brothers at the āśrama of his father on mount Gandhamādana. Kubera was at the zenith of his glory at that time, having been crowned king of the Yakṣas, and also having got the Puspaka Vimāna. The reputation of Kubera kindled jealousy in Kumbhakarṇa and his brothers. They too performed penance in the forest on one foot for a thousand years. But, Brahmā did not appear. They continued the penance without eating any food. Khara and Śūrpaṇakhā stayed there serving their brothers. Even after the second thousand years Brahmā did not appear. Then Rāvaṇa cut off his ten heads and made offerings of them to Brahmā. Then Brahmā appeared. Brahmā restored his heads to Rāvaṇa and he was granted the boon that he would not be killed by anybody but a man. The Devas shuddered at the gift to Rāvaṇa, and feared about the future in case Kumbhakarṇa too got such a boon. At their request Sarasvatī danced on his tongue at the time of Kumbhakarṇa's request for a boon. Kumbhakarṇa wanted NIRDEVATVAM (Absence of all Devas). But by a slip of the tongue (caused by Sarasvatī) what he asked for was nidrāvatvam (sleep). Brahmā granted him nidrāvatvam; he said that Kumbhakarṇa would sleep for six months of the year continuously. Vibhīṣaṇa got the boon that he should remember righteousness in danger and use the Brahmāstra without any training in its use. The brothers returned home after securing the boons, and, after driving off Kubera, the lord of Laṅkā, Rāvaṇa and his brothers took their abode there. (Vana Parva, Chapter 275 and Uttara Rāmāyaṇa). - [Previous: c7.2990](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2990) - [Next: c7.2992](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2992) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7) ## Cites (2) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2991](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.2991) · Pramāṇa