Ravana v/s Kubera – Battle for the Throne

 For many years, Kubera peacefully and prosperously ruled Lanka. Meanwhile, at Rasatala, Sumali, and Malyavana wanted to take back Lanka. They now hated Vishnu for killing their brother.

 Sumali and Malyavana made a plan. Sumali and his wife Ketumati decided to marry their daughter Kaikesi to a powerful sage. Kaikesi immediately went searching for someone. When she came across Vishravas, she knew he was the right person. Kaikesi went up to Vishravas and pleaded with him to marry her. Vishravas knew that this was an inauspicious time so he forced her to leave. The next day, Sumali and Kaikesi came to Vishravas, who agreed to marry Kaikesi but warned that the children born from the marriage will be evil.

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 Three sons named Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana and a daughter named Shurpankha were born to them. Later two other daughters of Sumali married Vishravas and more Rakshasa children were born. From a young age, Sumali poisoned Ravana’s mind against Kubera. After attaining boons from Brahma, Ravana went to Sumali and Malyavana. They put their entire army under Ravana’s command.

 With their new army, Ravana, his brothers, and his half-brothers now set off to conquer Lanka. They invaded Lanka and mercilessly killed many. Ravana was about to kill Kubera when Vishravas appeared there.

“Kubera, just leave from Lanka. Ravana will kill you if you do not leave,” Vishravas said to Kubera. “I know you love Lankapuri, but you have to leave.”

 Unwillingly, Kubera left with the Yakshas and Nairratas. While wandering around the city, Ravana found the Pushpaka Vimana.

 Taking Residence in Alaka

Not knowing what to do next, Kubera went to Pulastya rishi. Pulastya told him to settle down on Gandhmadhana Mountain near Mount Meru in the Himalayas. Kubera requested Vishwakarma to build a city for him. Vishwakarma built Alaka, a majestic city. Kubera permanently settled down in Alaka with the Yakshas, Nairratas, and Guhyakas. Kubera’s court in Alaka has many great Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, and rishis as its members.

 Kubera becomes a Chameleon

Once, King Marutta was performing a Maheshvara yagna in the forest. Indra, Varuna, Kubera, and Yama were invited to the yagna. During the yagna, Ravana passed that spot. All four devas immediately ran and turned into different animals. Kubera assumed the form of a chameleon. When Ravana was out of sight, they all turned back into their normal forms and blessed the animal they had turned into. Kubera blessed chameleons that they’ll be able to change color and that their cheeks will appear golden.

 Fight Between Kubera and Ravana

 Ravana had become very powerful and dominant. He was constantly harassing everybody all over the three worlds. Kubera got secret information that the devas and brahmins were going to complain to Lord Vishnu. Kubera sent a messenger to Ravana warning him to lead a more righteous life. Ravana responded to this by cutting the messenger up and serving him as food to his Rakshasas.

 Ravana also decided to attack Kubera. Ravana readied his army, led by great warriors Mahodara, Prahasta, Maricha, Suka, Sarana, Vajradamstra, Dhumraksha, Virupaksha, Yupaksha, Mahaparsva, Vikata, Suptaghna, Yajnantaka, Makaraksha, Kumbhakarna, Atikaya, Akshaykumara, and himself.

 Ravana and his army marched to Alaka, where a huge battle ensued. Many Yakshas were killed by Ravana’s army. But on the other hand,  the Yaksha Manicara demolished many Rakshasas. Frustrated at seeing Manicara destroying his army, Ravana hit him in the head with a mace. Manicara’s head was turned to one side and from that day one, he became known as Parsvamauli.

 In the end, Ravana and Kubera had fought. In the following fight, Ravana made Kubera unconscious. But fortunately for Kubera, two Yakshas came and took him away in a chariot to save him from death. Ravana then looted many riches and precious gems from Kubera’s palace. When Kubera woke up from his comatose, he was sad when he realized that many of his riches had been taken.

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