[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) › c9.102 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.102 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.102 - **Language:** English ### [c9.102](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.102) 2) Origin of Raktabīja. Once upon a time there lived an asura king called Danu. His two sons, Rambha and Karambha who had no children, did tapas at Pañcanada for the blessing of having issues. Rambha and Karambha meditated upon Mālavaṭa Yakṣa, the former seated at the centre of the five fires and the latter standing in the water. Indra in the guise of a crocodile dragged Karambha away by the feet and killed him. Angry at the death of his brother, Rambha decided to cut off his head and offer it in fire. When he was about to do so, Agni appeared and told him that suicide was worse than killing others, and promised to grant him whatever he desired. Accordingly Rambha requested Agni for a son more effulgent than the latter, who would conquer the three worlds and would not be defeated even by the Devas and the Asuras. Rambha further wanted that son to be as powerful as Vāyu, exceptionally handsome and skilled in archery. - [Previous: c9.101](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.101) - [Next: c9.103](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.103) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.102](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.102) · Pramāṇa