A son of Ravana. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Extract from (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vol.5)

Ahiravan was ... another son of Ravana... living in the nether regions. Ahiravan worshipped no other god but the Devi Kamada.

(After) the destruction of the Rakshasa population of this island and the death of his son, Meghanada, Ravana’s grief was so heavy at the loss of such a bright and loving son that he fell on the floor and in despair beat his head on the ground. Rising up, he poured out his anguish before the Shiva idol of his favourite temple. Ravana folded his twenty palms and praying to Shiva, he fell on the floor of the temple in reverent homage.

When this happened on the earth above, Ahiravan, living in the nether regions became aware that Ravana was suffering a great burden of sorrow. He thought within himself, ‘How could this be? He has all the world under his control and within his grasp! No one can defeat him.’ Immediately, he meditated on Her (Devi Kamada) and She revealed to Her votary the place where Ravana was, at that time. So, he could appear before Ravana, in the Shiva Temple itself. He fell at Ravana’s feet, announcing his name while doing so. …… He enquired the reason why the father was so disheartened.

Ravana related to him all that had happened since the nose and ears of Surpanakha were sliced off by the brothers. This account made Ahiravan very sad. He said, ‘The path of morality is adored by everyone in the world. By straying away from that path and preferring the path of immorality, fear enters the heart. Instead of paying attention to the past and future, and the likely course of events, you have plunged into this foolish fatal war. As a consequence, you have destroyed your clan and your dynasty. You do not know the heroism and the power that lies dormant in ‘man.’ You have counted the greatest among them as the least and the lowest. Yet I wish to tell you one thing now. I shall capture Rama and Lakshmana and take them with me to the nether regions. I shall sacrifice them as offerings to my Kamada Devi. I shall thereby bring immense fame to the Rakshasa name.’ With these words, he prostrated before Ravana, and made obeisance to Kamada Devi.

Ahiravan enters the camp of Rama tricking Hanuman:

Then he entered the camp of Rama. With his supernatural power, he invoked the spirit of darkness and enveloped the Vanaras in thick blackness. No one could see his own palm, held before him! Such was the thickness of the pitch darkness around all. The Vanaras were extremely vigilant in camp. Even Death dare not enter the place. Hanuman, the Vanara guard, elongated his tail to such an extent that he could encircle the camp with it many times over, until the coils one over the other became a high wall, of the size and strength of a mountain barrier. Hanuman himself Sat alert at the only gate through which entrance into this impregnable fort was possible.

Ahiravan saw the caudal fort and was stricken with great fear. He could not conceive of any strategy to out-manoeuvre this defence. Suddenly getting a brain wave he changed himself into the likeness of Vibhishana and accosted Hanuman at the gate. He told him, ‘Friend, I must go into the Presence of Rama. With his approval I had gone outside the camp to perform my evening prayers and rites. I have finished them now. If I do not go without delay, I would incur the sin of disobeying His command. So, allow me to enter the camp.’ Hanuman was taken in by those words and that form, which were to his ears and eyes the same as Vibhishana’s. He allowed him into the camp. He found Nala and Sugriva fast asleep; since they were exhausted by the day’s fighting. Rama too was sleeping, with his hand clasping the hand of his brother Lakshmana. The pseudo-Vibhishana who was approaching him was not unnoticed by Rama. He had incarnated, adopting, in sport, the human frame and his purpose in so doing was to destroy the entire Rakshasa species and wipe them out. His task will remain unfinished if the descendants of Ravana survived in the nether regions. So, he played the role, as if he did not know the trick that Ahiravan was about to indulge in. Others cannot understand his ways. He knows where, when and by which means, one has to be exterminated. He plays his drama in his own way.

Ahiravan carries away Rama and Lakshmana:

The Rakshasa recited the Mohana Mantra, which would make whomsoever he wants swoon and become unconscious. That made the Vanara heroes sleep even more soundly. Then, he bound Rama and Lakshmana and carried them off to his region in the bowels of the earth, the region called Patala.

After some time, the Vanaras woke up and were plunged in dismay when they found that Rama and Lakshmana were not beside them. The place where they had slept had become a deep pit. The entire camp was soon filled with cries and groans. The Vanaras were rendered as miserable as the sky without the moon, or lotus blooms without water. The Vanaras started moving in all directions to seek out the brothers and recover them. Many ran towards the shore of the sea. Many searched the borders of the campus. No one could discover any clue. The Vanaras lost hope and courage. They were overcome by sorrow and despair. ‘All the Rakshasa warriors have been destroyed. Ravana alone has survived. His days too were nearing the end. At this juncture, this misfortune has overtaken us.’ The Vanaras lamented their fate in this manner. Sugriva, the King of the Vanaras, himself fell unconscious on the ground. Vibhishana had not heard about this incident. He was returning with wet clothes on, from a sea bath, after performing his morning rites. The Vanaras ran towards him and revealed to him that Rama and Lakshmana could not be seen in camp. Vibhishana was struck with sorrow for one instant; but, since he was conversant with the tricks that the Rakshasas could play, using their supernatural powers, he guessed the plot correctly. ‘Come. Let us go into the camp,’ he told them. This gave them some little consolation. When he talked with Hanuman at the gate, he was surprised and shocked. Hanuman asked, ‘Why? You passed through this gate into the camp a while ago. You asked me permission to do so.’

It was now clear to Vibhishana. He could picture in his mind what had happened. So he addressed the Vanaras thus: ‘Vanaras! There is no need to be anxious. Ahiravan, the son of Ravana, is a master in such tricks. He is living in Patala—the nether regions. Judging from the depth of this pit, I am sure it is he who has carried Rama and Lakshmana to his own place underground. I have no doubt on this point. For, no one else can assume my form. Do not be disheartened. It is best that someone from among us, who is mighty, proceeds thither.’ Vibhishana looked around and sighting Hanuman, he said, ‘Hanuman! Your physical and mental strength are known all over the world. Go immediately to Patala and bring back these Oceans of Mercy, Rama and Lakshmana. Vibhishana described also the route that Hanuman had to take to reach Patala, where Ahiravan stayed. Sugriva, Angada and Jambavantha clasped Hanuman to their breast and shed tears of joy. Hanuman solicited permission from his Royal Master, Sugriva and, while starting on his mission, told the Vanaras ‘Do not fear. Do not be anxious in the least. Whoever he is, I shall destroy him, even if I have to sacrifice my life. I shall stand before you with Rama and Lakshmana pretty soon. Be assured.’ With these words and with the acclamation, Jai Rama, Jai Rama (Victory to Rama, Victory to Rama) emanating from his tongue, Hanuman started off.

Reaching the Patala region, he rested awhile under a tree. He heard two birds sitting above him, conversing aloud. Hanuman knew the language of birds. So he Sat listening to their talk. ‘Dear One,’ spoke the bird, ‘Ahiravan has brought two brothers Rama and Lakshmana, and he has made all preparations to sacrifice both of them to Goddess Kamada just now. He will cast these holy bodies away, after the sacrifice. We can feast on those sacred bodies to our full content. This day is a festival day for us.’ Hanuman rose suddenly from under the tree; like a cobra whose tail has been trodden upon, he hissed with rage, and leaped forward like a giant flame. ‘Alas! I fear what has happened already to my Lord,’ he wailed.

He entered the City of Ahiravan. At the very entrance, he had to fight and overcome Makaradhwaja, the guard in monkey form. But seeing that he was a monkey, he explored his genealogy and history. Hanuman was able to win his confidence and get from him inside information about Rama and Lakshmana and their fate. He also came to know from him that the brothers were to be taken at dawn to the temple of Goddess Kamada, for being offered as human sacrifice to Her.

Hanuman asked Makaradhwaja, the Monkey Guardian of Patala, where the two brothers were kept by the cruel Overlord of the Nether Regions. He gave him all the details. However, he insisted that he will not allow him to enter the area, for; he had to obey his master and be loyal to him and to his interests. ‘Whatever the suffering I have to endure, I shall not let you in,’ he said. ‘If I show you special consideration for the reason that you too are a monkey, I will thereby be dishonouring the entire monkey species, as unreliable and ungrateful. My lord, Ahiravan, is as much adorable to me as your lord, Rama, is to you. However near you may be to me, I shall not waver or deviate. I must do my duty and carry out his command. You can get in only after defeating me in combat,’ he said challengingly. Hanuman appreciated his sentiments and his sense of duty. He was happy that Makaradhwaja had taken the proper attitude. He took up the challenge and entered into the fight. After some time spent in fierce combat, Hanuman decided that protraction was not desirable. So, he twisted his tail around the body of Makaradhwaja and cast him far out in the distance.

Hanuman boldly entered the City. He noticed a florist entering the gate with a fine big garland of fragrant flowers. Resolving that this was the best chance to reach the place he wanted to, he assumed suddenly a molecular form and occupied the garland the florist was carrying. The garland was not rendered any heavier. It was as light as ever. The florist had no idea of what happened. Everything was as before, for him. The garland was delivered to Ahiravan himself. He took it in both his hands and placed it round the neck of the image of Kamada in the temple. He also offered various rich dishes as sanctified food to the idol. From his vantage point on the garland round its neck, Hanuman ate up the dishes as they were placed before the idol. The Rakshasas saw the food disappearing, and they were delighted that their Goddess had deigned to accept their devotion. Ahiravan too was happy at the thought that ‘this day my prayers have been answered. My fortune has reached its summit.’

Meanwhile, Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers, were brought in, decorated in the manner in which sacrificial animals are decorated. Gigantic Rakshasa warriors were holding them by their arms on either side. Hanuman saw them being made to stand by the side of the sacrificial altar. Hanuman bowed obeisance to Rama from where he was, and filled his mind with adorations for Him. The guards placed the brothers right in front of the Idol, and held sharp swords near their necks. Ahiravan said that the sacrificial offering of the lives of the two brothers must take place immediately after the waving of the Holy Flame, and that they ought to be ready to execute their task, without a moment’s delay. Rama and Lakshmana, who were really Divine Beings playing the role of humans, had discovered that it was Hanuman who had eaten the food offerings placed by Ahiravan before the Deity, and that knowledge induced them to take on to the impending events with great good humour. Seeing them smiling and light-hearted, Ahiravan was awfully enraged. He said, ‘Well, if the few moments more of life that you are granted give you so much of joy, I do not grudge it. Be happy while you can. A while later, you can smile in the realm of Yama, the Ruler of the Dead.’ He paid no regard to the brothers, but continued to relish their fate and utter harsh words to wound them even more. At this, the priest rose and paying respects to his master, informed him that the code of political morality requires that the victims be permitted to pray, if they so desire, to their guardian for peace after death. The Rakshasa Chief rose from his seat and announced, ‘Princes! If you have any well-wishers, this is the time to express gratitude for them, since you have only a few moments to live.’ Rama and Lakshmana looked at each other’s face and smiled.

That very moment, Hanuman let out a terrific roar. Hearing it, the Rakshasas imagined that their Goddess had manifested Herself and was expressing Her anger. Hanuman jumped from the garland, assuming his terror-striking Form and grasping the sword that was in the hand of the Goddess, he felled Ahiravan to the ground and hit him all over, hacking him to pieces. But his body was of diamond strength and he had won a mysterious boon which made the bits get together and become whole, as soon as they were separated. At last, Hanuman fixed Rama in his mind and with a shout, Jai Rama, he caught the head in one hand and with the other sliced the neck. Before they could join, he threw the head into the blazing fire, in the sacrificial pit, before the Idol.

Just then, Makaradhwaja managed to reach the temple and the presence of the Goddess. On seeing him, Hanuman recovered the golden crown from the head of Ahiravan, and placed it on his head; he proclaimed him ruler of Patala and advised him to be ever grateful to the Brothers and to be always loyal and devoted to them.

He had Rama and Lakshmana seated on his shoulders and, at one jump, he rose from Patala and landed safe in the midst of the Vanara hordes eagerly looking for them with their million eyes. Vibhishana and others could not contain the joy that overwhelmed them when they saw the Brothers safe and sound before them. They fell at the feet of Rama and Lakshmana. They clasped Hanuman in their arms and shed tears of gratitude. The Vanaras praised Hanuman in a thousand different paeans. They lifted him on their shoulders. They fed him and fondled him. They embraced him, poured their love on him. Vibhishana stood before Rama and said, ‘Lord! What shall I say of your Leela, your Sport? You alone can reveal to us the meaning of your acts and activities. You have come with the resolution to wipe off the Rakshasa denizens even in the Nether Regions. All this stage-acting, is, I know, to fulfil that resolution.’

Ravana came to know that Rama and Lakshmana had been brought back by Hanuman from the kingdom of Ahiravan. He heard the tragic news of the death of his son, Ahiravan. He collapsed and fell on the ground. He lamented his loss, long and loud. Tears flowed in streams from his eyes (RKRV Part II, pp. 235-245)