Taranisen, the son of Vibhishana, remained steadfastly loyal to his uncle Ravana, even after his father, Vibhishana, had left Ravana's side to join forces with Bhagavan Sri Rama. Despite his allegiance to Ravana, Taranisen was a devout follower of Sri Rama. His ultimate aspiration was to meet Rama and attain moksha (liberation) by being killed by him.
The Call to Battle
One day, Taranisen received a summons from Ravana to join the battle against Rama. Excited by the prospect of finally meeting Narayana (another name for Vishnu, whom Rama is an incarnation of), Taranisen approached his mother, Sarama.
"Mother, the king has asked me to go to battle," he said. "Now I will get a chance to see Narayana. I will see father and touch his feet. Please permit me to go."
Sarama was taken aback by her son's request. "I will not allow you to go into this battle," she responded. "I will take you with me and leave Lanka. Let Ravana stay with his Lanka. Your father is a just person, which is why he left Lanka to serve Rama. You should also go to Rama and serve Him, who is none other than Narayana. Rama will ensure that not a single person is left alive in Lanka. You, yourself, are well-versed and learned. How can you talk of going to fight Rama?"
Taranisen's Resolve
Despite his mother's pleas, Taranisen remained resolute. "Mother, I know that Rama is none other than Vishnu," he said. "Even then, I will fight Rama. If I die at Rama's hands, it will be a place in heaven for me. And Mother, who can kill whom, when all we see around us are different forms of Vishnu? Do not grieve over death. I have heard from father that the body is nothing but a shell. Rama will not kill me if he knows I am a son of Vibhishana. If I am alive, I will come and greet you again."
The Battle and Meeting with Rama
In the battle, Taranisen proved to be a formidable warrior. He defeated many of the Vanaras (monkey warriors), including Sugriva, Hanuman, Nila, and Angada. Eventually, he reached the place where Rama, Lakshmana, and Vibhishana stood. Bowing down before them, Taranisen took their blessings and resumed the fight.
Lakshmana, who had previously rendered unconscious by Taranisen's might, attempted to defeat him but failed. It was then that Rama himself stepped forward to confront Taranisen.
Seeing Rama, Taranisen beheld the entire universe within Rama's body. Overwhelmed by the divine vision, he threw down his bow and bowed down before Rama.
"You are the Lord of the Universe," Taranisen said. "You are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. You are all Gods. You are the beginning and the end. You are all the qualities - Raja, Tama, and Satva. You, taking various forms, put an end to all evil. Give me refuge in your lotus feet. I was born in the clan of the rakshasas, and that is my misfortune. With your lotus hands, if you put an end to me, I will go to heaven."
Rama's Dilemma
Rama was moved to tears by Taranisen's devotion. "I will not be able to kill someone who is so devotional," he said. "Vibhishana, please help me. I think I will not get Sita back. How can I hurt my devotee? If I try to shoot an arrow at him, that will hurt me."
Rama then sat down, refusing to fight.
Taranisen's Ultimate Sacrifice
Realizing that Rama's compassion was preventing him from granting Taranisen the liberation he sought, Taranisen resorted to a bold tactic. "Rama, what gave you the notion that I will not fight?" he shouted. "I will now kill you. I will have Sita sit on Ravana's throne."
Lakshmana, seeing his brother in distress, aimed his arrows at Taranisen. However, Vibhishana interjected, recognizing his son's true intention. "Lakshmana fainted once when he fought this person. Why send him again? Please fight him yourself, Rama."
Rama then engaged Taranisen, who valiantly defended himself, cutting off Rama's arrows. Rama, with a crescent arrow, cut off the horses of Taranisen's chariot, forcing him to fight on foot. Taranisen hurled rocks, trees, and anything he could find at hand. Rama grew tense.
Vibhishana then revealed that Taranisen could only be killed by the weapon of Brahma. Rama invoked the weapon of Brahma. Seeing this divine weapon, Taranisen said, "Please grant me a place near you after I die."
The weapon of Brahma struck Taranisen, severing his head. As his head fell to the ground, it continued to chant the name of Rama.
Thus, Taranisen attained the moksha he desired, securing a place near Rama for eternity. This tale is a poignant reminder of devotion and the divine grace of Rama, as narrated in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.