In the ancient and revered epic tradition of India, there are many tales of valor, wisdom, and divine intervention. One such story involves the mighty demon king Ravana and the legendary king Mandhata, an illustrious ancestor of Lord Rama from the Solar Dynasty.
Ravana's Challenge
Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka, known for his immense power and insatiable thirst for dominance, had heard of Mandhata, the great and noble king ruling from Ayodhya. Mandhata was celebrated across the land not only for his unassailable strength and warrior spirit but also for his just and benevolent rule. His fame and virtuous reputation reached the ears of Ravana, who could not resist the urge to challenge another powerful king.
Determined to test Mandhata's might, Ravana journeyed to the city of Ayodhya. He arrived at the gates of the magnificent city, where he issued a challenge to the king. Word quickly spread throughout the kingdom, and the people of Ayodhya held their breath in anticipation of the impending battle.
The Battle Begins
Mandhata, ever ready to defend his honor and his kingdom, accepted Ravana's challenge without hesitation. He emerged from his palace, clad in resplendent armor and mounted on his chariot, ready to face the demon king. The two titans met on the battlefield, and a clash of epic proportions ensued.
The sky darkened as their weapons clashed with thunderous force. Mandhata and Ravana were evenly matched; each strike, parry, and maneuver was countered with equal skill and strength. The earth shook under the fury of their combat, and the heavens seemed to tremble as they exchanged blows.
Mandhata, with his mighty bow and keenly honed arrows, managed to wound Ravana, causing him to stagger. Ravana, momentarily weakened, fell to the ground unconscious. But the demon king was no ordinary adversary. Blessed with boons from the gods, he quickly regained his strength and consciousness, rising to renew the fight with undiminished vigor.
An Unending Struggle
The battle raged on, day and night, with neither warrior able to gain a decisive upper hand. Both Ravana and Mandhata were relentless, their resolve unbreakable, and their determination unmatched. The struggle seemed destined to continue indefinitely, with the potential to upset the balance of the world.
Divine Intervention
The prolonged conflict did not go unnoticed by the divine beings. In the celestial realms, Brahma, the Creator, observed the unceasing battle with concern. He knew that such a prolonged fight between two powerful entities could disrupt the cosmic order.
Determined to restore balance, Brahma sent the wise Sage Bhargava to intercede. Bhargava, a revered sage known for his wisdom and insight, descended to the battlefield. His presence brought a sudden, serene stillness to the chaos of combat.
Approaching King Mandhata, Sage Bhargava spoke in a calm and authoritative voice, "O noble Mandhata, cease this unending struggle. Know that Ravana is protected by a boon granted by Brahma himself. No weapon forged by mortal hands can kill him now. The balance of the world is at stake, and continuing this battle will only bring unnecessary chaos."
Mandhata, who had been locked in fierce combat with Ravana, paused to listen to the sage's words. Bhargava continued, "In your dynasty, in the future, will be born a great hero who will bring about the end of Ravana. This is not your battle to finish. Withdraw now, and let the divine plan unfold as destined."
The Prophetic Withdrawal
Heeding the sage's wise counsel, Mandhata lowered his weapons. The mighty king acknowledged that sometimes the greatest strength lies in knowing when to step back and allow destiny to take its course. He bowed respectfully to Sage Bhargava and, with a deep sense of duty and foresight, called off the battle.
Ravana, seeing Mandhata's retreat, did not pursue. He returned to Lanka, his mind perhaps stirred by the realization of the forces at play beyond mortal comprehension.
The Awaited Fulfillment
As foretold by Sage Bhargava, the prophecy would come to pass many generations later. In the Solar Dynasty of Ayodhya, a divine incarnation would be born — Lord Rama. This scion of Mandhata's lineage would grow up to defeat Ravana and bring his reign of terror to an end, fulfilling the destiny that had been foretold.
Thus, the epic battle between Ravana and Mandhata ended, not with victory or defeat, but with the wisdom to foresee and respect the unfolding of a greater cosmic plan. This story underscores the timeless themes of destiny, divine will, and the interconnection between all beings, a hallmark of the rich tapestry of Indian mythology.
This story is narrated by Sage Agastya to Rama in the Uttara Khanda of Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.