HOW MEGHANATHA BECAME INDRAJITH

                                  

After destroying the tormentor Ravana, Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya and took over the rule of the country. Meanwhile from all the directions came the great sages and saints to see RAMA and congratulate him on his achievement. He has saved the people and the sages especially, from the atrocities of the asuras. Included among the group were the ‘Sapta Rishis’—seven sages,  Vasishta, Kasyapa, Athri, Viswamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni,Bharadwaja and Agasthya! They said they were grateful to Rama for killing the terrible asuras, the dangerous Prahastha, Kumbhakarna, Thrisira, Akampana and others. They were also delighted at the death of invincible Ravana and his son Meghanatha the enemy of Devas.

         Sri Rama was a little surprised. He questioned the sages why they were praising Meghanatha, the son of Ravana while there were equally brave and great warriors like Prahastha, kumbhakarna , Mahodara and others. How is Meghanatha greater than his father Ravana?  What were the boons he had received? What is his speciality? He requested the Sages to narrate all the details. Sage Agasthya recounted the incidents in the life of Meghanatha.

          Ravana went to see his son Meghanatha in a place called Nikumbhila a delightful countryside near Lanka. Meghanatha was engaged in performing various yagnas and was in a saintly appearance. Ravana embraced him and wondered at what he was engaged in. Meghanatha had performed seven  rare yagas or sacrifices like Agnistoma, Aswamedha, Bahusuvarnaka,  Rajasuya  Maheswara and  Pasupatha elaborately. Sukracharya, the preceptor of asuras told Ravana that Lord Siva, in appreciation of  the austerities performed by Meghanatha granted him several boons. One of the most important boons was the chariot capable of flying in the sky and taking him to any place he likes! The second and the most significant boon was the grant of MAYA—illusion  called TAMASI that can create darkness and make Meghanatha invisible to his own people and the opponents alike! He was also granted a divine bow and a quiver of arrows perennial and most powerful.

           Ravana’s next attack was on Devendra, king of Devas. On hearing this news, various wings of Devas like the Rudras, Vasus,  Adithyas, Maruths  and Aswini Devas came to support Indra and defend themselves against Ravana. Thus there was a terrible war between the asuras and the Devas. Vasu, on the side of Devas mounted a terrible attack and killed Sumali the chief of asuras. Infuriated at this, Meghanatha  pounced upon Vasu and chased the forces of Devas away! Indra brought back the retreating army and allowed his son Jayantha to attack Meghanatha! The fight between Jayantha and Meghanatha was severe and dangerous! Meanwhile Jayantha’s grandfather, to save him from Megha natha, took him away from the scene! Not finding his son, Indra was upset and came to fight directly with Ravana! Though the army of Devas had to run for their lives, indra managed to come from the south and stopped the progress of terrible Ravana. Meghanatha entered the field and drove away the Devas by the Maya granted him by Lord Siva! As he was invisible, Indra could not see him! Meghanatha rained arrows at Indra.

              Finally, attacking the chariot, the driver and the horses of Ravana, Indra overpowered and captured him alive! But Meghanatha  attacked  Indra and becoming invisible with Tamasi the maya given by Lord Siva captured Indra and released Ravana his father! Seeing Devendra bound by his son, Meghanatha, Ravana was extremely happy and commended his heroism and presence of mind. All the Devas were down with gloom as Devendra was taken away and requested  Lord Brahma to bring back their lord Indra! Lord Brahma went to Meghanatha and praised him for the courage that he exhibited and directed him to release Ravana. Lord Brahma gave him the title“ INDRAJIT” as he has overpowered Indra and bound him to the astonishment of all! Henceforth he would be called by this name INDRAJIT—one who has defeated Indra. Indrajit wanted the boon of immortality from the Lord but He refused. After offering a few other boons, Lord Brahma satisfied Indrajit and got Indra released from Indrajit’s captivity!