In the Ramayana Ahiravan (or Mahiravan or Mairavan), brother of Ravana, was a rakshasa who secretly carried away Rama and his brother Lakshmana to the nether-world, consulted his friends and decided to sacrifice the life of the two divine brothers at the altar of his chosen deity, goddess Mahamaya. But Hanuman saved their life by killing Ahiravan and his army.[1]
In the Ramayana Ahiravan During the battle between Rama and Ravana, Ravana’s son Indrajit is killed. At that point, Ravana calls his brother Ahiravana for help. Now, Ahiravana is the king of Patala (the underworld). Ahiravana promised to help. Vibhishana somehow manages to hear about the plot and warns Rama about it. Hanuman is put on guard and told not to let anyone within the room where Rama and Lakshmana are. Ahiravana tries to enter the room and makes many attempts but all attempts are thwarted by Hanuman. Finally, Ahiravana takes the form of Vibhishana and Hanuman lets him enter. Ahiravana quickly enters and takes the “sleeping Rama and Lakshmana” away.
When Hanuman realizes what happened, he goes to Vibhishana. Vibhishana says, alas they have been abducted by Ahiravana. If Hanuman does not rescue them fairly quickly, Ahiravana will sacrifice both Rama and Lakshman to Chandi. Hanuman goes to Patala. The door to patala is guarded by a creature, who is half Vanara and half reptile. Hanuman asks him who are you and the monkey says, I am Makardhwaja, your son! This confuses Hanuman, since he did not have any child. He was an adept Brahmachari and knew it to be impossible. The son explains, while you were jumping over the ocean, a drop of your sweat fell in the ocean and in the mouth of a fish called “Makardhwaja”. This is the origin of my birth.
After defeating his son, Hanuman enters Patala. He encounters Ahiravana and Mahiravana. They had a strong army and Hanuman is told by Chandrasena that the only way to vanquish them is by blowing of 5 different candles located in 5 different directions, all at the same time in return for a promise to be Lord Rama's consort. So, at this point, Hanuman assumes the form with 5 heads (Panchmukhi Hanuman) and he quickly blows of the 5 different candles and thus kills Ahiravana and Mahiravana. Throughout the saga, both Rama and Lakshmana are rendered unconscious by a spell by the demons.
Mairavan charitra was written in Telugu language in Kavya style in the 16th century by Madayya kavi.[2]
The story of Ahiravan was made as Telugu film in 1940 by Ghantasala Balaramaiah entitled Mahiravana. The veteran actor Vemuri Gaggaiah played the role of Ahiravan.[3]
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||