Ravana Leaves Humans and Monkeys Outside His Boon
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 177
Doha 177 · Movement 1 of 2
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The three brothers undertake austerities so fierce that description fails. Brahma comes near, pleased by the terrible tapasya, and invites them to ask. Ravana grasps the Creator's feet and seeks freedom from death at every hand except those of humans and monkeys, two races he considers too small to fear.
Brahma grants the boon. When he turns toward Kumbhakarna, wonder enters his mind. If this vast being eats every day, the whole world will be emptied. Saraswati is inspired to turn the intended request upon his tongue.
Kumbhakarna asks for sleep lasting six months. Ravana's contempt leaves the exact opening through which Ram and the vanaras will enter, while the hunger of his brother is bound beneath long seasons of unconsciousness.
Ravana excludes man and monkey, leaving two small doors open inside his immortality.
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AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 177
Kumbhakarna asks for six months of sleep after Sarasvati changes his mind at Brahma's prompting
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 180 · printed pages 178. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-177. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- All eight source parts retained: the three brothers undertake extreme varied tapas; pleased Brahma approaches and offers boons. Ravana clasps his feet and asks immunity from being killed except by monkeys and humans. Shiva's embedded voice 'मैं ब्रह्माँ मिलि' states Shiva and Brahma jointly grant Ravana's boon, not Brahma alone or assembled gods.
- Brahma approaches Kumbhakarna astonished; if he ate every day the world would become desolate, a conditional rather than depicted carnage. Brahma prompts Sarasvati to alter his mind; Kumbhakarna then REQUESTS six months of sleep, not a gift given without a request or freely chosen indulgence.
Artistic choices
- Approved D177/D123 Kumbhakarna appearance preserved: warm brown broad muscular body, thick black moustache and clean beardless jaw, long wavy black hair, tall ornate gold crown, gold jewels, cream dhoti and rust shoulder drape; exact age, build and attire remain artistic conventions.
- Awake seated waist portrait, open eyes and slightly parted mouth requesting offscreen Brahma. Both hands joined at his own chest, exactly two arms/two hands, no extra knee hands. Namaste gesture, pavilion, water, forest flowers and lighting are imagined; this gesture does not stand in for Ravana's explicit feet clasp.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
कीन्ह बिबिध तप तीनिहुँ भाई। परम उग्र नहिं बरनि सो जाई।। गयउ निकट तप देखि बिधाता। मागहु बर प्रसन्न मैं ताता।। करि बिनती पद गहि दससीसा। बोलेउ बचन सुनहु जगदीसा।। हम काहू के मरहिं न मारें। बानर मनुज जाति दुइ बारें।। एवमस्तु तुम्ह बड़ तप कीन्हा। मैं ब्रह्माँ मिलि तेहि बर दीन्हा।। पुनि प्रभु कुंभकरन पहिं गयऊ। तेहि बिलोकि मन बिसमय भयऊ।। जौं एहिं खल नित करब अहारू। होइहि सब उजारि संसारू।। सारद प्रेरि तासु मति फेरी। मागेसि नीद मास षट केरी।।
The three brothers performed fierce tapasya of many kinds, so severe it cannot be described in words. Seeing their tapasya, Brahma the Creator drew near and said, "Ask for a boon; I am pleased, my sons."