Ravana and Rambha: The Pleasant Grove Incident

The story of Ravana and Rambha is an intriguing episode from the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. While it is not explicitly stated whether Ravana loved Rambha, a significant incident is mentioned in the Uttara Kanda, the seventh book of the Ramayana. This episode has been a subject of much speculation and discussion. Let us explore the incident as described in the Ramayana.

Setting the Stage

En route to Mount Meru for a war against the gods, Ravana, the notorious king of Lanka, came across a beautiful grove adorned with beautiful flowers like Kadamba and Karnikara. The grove was home to a large pond filled with the waters of the sacred river Mandakini. The pond was adorned with blooming lotuses of various colors, and a pleasant breeze mixed with the sweet fragrance of Madhupushpa flowers blew gently through the grove. This enchanting scene deeply enthralled Ravana, and he ordered his soldiers to camp in the grove for the night.

The Encounter

It was the night of a full moon. In the midst of the sleeping soldiers, a divine apsara, Rambha, arrived at the pond to bathe. She passed through the midst of the sleeping soldiers and approached the pond. Ravana, who was awake, noticed her from afar and swiftly made his way to the pond. Seizing her by the hand, he praised Rambha's beauty and asked her to be intimate with him.

Naturally, Rambha was shocked and perhaps even terrified by Ravana's behavior. She reminded him that she was married to Kubera's son, Nalakubara, making her the daughter-in-law of Ravana. However, Ravana, despite her protests, forcibly dragged her away and began to perform the act of intercourse.

Rambha trembled with fear and shame. She freed herself from Ravana's grasp and went to Nalakubara to inform him about Ravana's conduct. Nalakubara, hearing the distressing news from Rambha, became extremely enraged. In a fit of anger, he imposed a terrible curse upon Ravana: if he ever touched a woman against her will and performed intercourse with her, his head would burst into seven pieces.

The Consequences

The curse of Nalakubara echoed through the three worlds, causing profound fear among the residents of the heavens, earth, and the underworld. Even Brahma and the gods were delighted by this turn of events. As a result, Ravana was compelled to refrain from ever committing such acts of violence against women in the future. This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the severe and lasting consequences of one's actions.

Illustrations courtesy: Google