Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.351

c9.351

4) Rāvaṇa secured boons. Kaikasī (Rāvaṇa's mother) who became envious of the pomp and prowess of Kubera advised her son to secure boons from Brahmā by tapas and become equal to Kubera. Accordingly he went to Gokarṇa with his brothers and began tapas. Kumbhakarṇa did tapas for 10,000 years; Vibhīṣaṇa also did tapas for 10,000 years standing on one foot. Rāvaṇa, standing in the middle of the five fires, meditated upon Brahmā. Though 10,000 years passed thus, Brahmā did not appear yet. Rāvaṇa then cut one of his ten heads and made an offering of it to Brahmā in the fire. Thus, within 9000 years he cut nine of his heads and offered them to Brahmā in the fire. Lastly when he was about to cut off his tenth head, Brahmā appeared and asked him to choose whatever boon he wanted. Rāvaṇa chose the boon that from none but men should he meet with his death. Kumbhakarṇa desired to secure the boon of 'nirdevatva' (Absence of the devas) but secured by a slip of the tongue 'nidrāvatvam' (sleep). Vibhīṣaṇa chose devotion to Viṣṇu. On his return after securing the boons, Rāvaṇa occupied Laṅkā, drove away Kubera and took his puṣpaka chariot. Rāvaṇa further declared Mahāviṣṇu to be his eternal enemy. Hearing about Rāvaṇa's victory the Rākṣasas from Pātāla came to live in Laṅkā.