सर्गः 3

Then, Vishrava, the son of Pulastya and foremost among sages, soon became engaged in penance just like his father.

He was truthful, virtuous, peaceful, devoted to Vedic study, pure, unattached to all worldly enjoyments, and constantly dedicated to righteousness.

Understanding Vishrava's excellent character, the great sage Bharadvaja gave his own daughter, Devavarnini, as a wife to Vishrava.

Then, Vishrava, having righteously accepted Bharadvaja's daughter, contemplated his welfare with an intellect focused on the desire for progeny.

The foremost sage Vishrava, filled with supreme joy, begot in her an exceedingly wonderful offspring endowed with great valor.

This knower of Dharma begot a child endowed with all divine qualities, and when he was born, the grandfather (Brahma) became greatly delighted.

Having perceived his auspicious intention to become the lord of wealth, the pleased grandfather (Brahma), together with the divine sages, then gave him a name.

Because this offspring of Vishrava resembles Vishrava himself, he will therefore be renowned by the name Vaishravana.

Then, Vaishravana, having gone to the hermitage, grew there, greatly effulgent, like a fire nourished by oblations.

A thought arose in the mind of the great sage residing in his hermitage that he would practice supreme righteousness, for righteousness is indeed the ultimate goal.

Indeed, he performed very great penance for thousands of years in the great forest, having restrained himself with severe vows.

At the completion of each thousand years, he adopted various methods of austerity, such as subsisting only on water, then only on air, and then completely without food.

Thus, those thousands of years passed as if they were a single year, and then the greatly effulgent Brahma, pleased, came with Indra and the hosts of gods.

Having gone to his hermitage, Brahma spoke these words: "O child of good vows, I am greatly pleased with this deed of yours; choose a boon, may there be welfare for you, O great-minded one, for you are deserving of a boon."

Then Vaishravana, standing before his grandfather Brahma, said, "O Lord, I desire to be a guardian of the world and a protector of wealth."

Then Brahma, with a very pleased mind, joyfully spoke to Vaishravana in the presence of the hosts of gods, saying, "So be it."

Brahma declared, "Indeed, I was about to create the fourth among the world-protectors."

Brahma continued, "O righteous one, attain that desired position alongside Yama, Indra, and Varuna; indeed, obtain the lordship of treasures, and you shall be the fourth among Indra, Varuna, and Yama."

"And accept this aerial chariot named Pushpaka, which resembles the sun, for your travels, and thereby attain equality with the gods."

Brahma declared that they had accomplished their purpose by granting two boons and would now depart as they had arrived, wishing well-being upon the recipient.

Having spoken thus, Brahma returned to his own abode accompanied by the gods.

After Brahma and the other gods departed to the heavens, Ravana, with folded hands and a controlled mind, addressed his father in the forest, stating that Brahma had not provided him with a dwelling place.

Ravana informed his father that he had received his desired boon from Brahma and requested his father to find a suitable dwelling place for him.

Ravana further specified that the dwelling place should be one where no living being would suffer any harm, and upon hearing this request from his son, Vishrava, the foremost among sages, considered it.

The righteous and excellent one spoke, saying, "Listen! On the shore of the southern ocean, there is a mountain named Trikuta."

On the top of that mountain, there is a vast and beautiful city named Lanka, constructed by Vishwakarma, resembling the city of Mahendra (Indra).

That city is meant for the residence of Rakshasas, just as Amaravati is for Indra; you should dwell there in Lanka, and there is no doubt that it will bring you good fortune.

That delightful city is indeed equipped with golden ramparts and moats, fortified with machines and weapons, and adorned with archways made of gold and lapis lazuli.

That city was formerly abandoned by all the hordes of Rakshasas, who, afflicted by fear of Vishnu, had gone to the nethermost regions, leaving it deserted.

That Lanka is now empty and without a master, so you, my son, should go and reside there comfortably.

Your dwelling there will be without hindrance, and there will be no obstacles from anyone; having heard this most righteous command from his father, that righteous soul (Kubera)...

...then settled Lanka, situated on the mountain top, with thousands of delighted and greatly joyful Rakshasas.

In a very short time, Lanka was completely filled by his command.

That righteous soul, the chief of Rakshasas and son of Vishrava (Kubera), happily dwelt there in Lanka, which was surrounded by the ocean.

The righteous and humble Kubera, the lord of wealth, used to visit his father and mother from time to time in his Pushpaka chariot.

Praised by hosts of gods and Gandharvas, and with his abode adorned by the dances of Apsaras, that lord of wealth, Kubera, approached his father, shining like the sun with its rays. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे तृतीयः सर्गः ।। 3 ।। Thus ends the third sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.