In the Bengali version of the Ramayana by Krittibasi, the origin of Lanka is intricately woven with a tale of familial discord and divine intervention.
The Brahmin's Legacy
Once upon a time, a wealthy Brahmin passed away, leaving behind considerable riches. His two sons, unable to agree on how to divide the inheritance, were in constant conflict. The younger son believed in an equal division of the wealth, but the elder son staunchly refused to share.
Seeking Sage Vashistha's Guidance
Frustrated and desperate, the younger son sought the wisdom of the sage Vashistha. The sage advised him to request a modest portion of the wealth from his elder brother, hoping for a peaceful resolution. However, this intervention only fueled the elder brother's rage.
A Curse and Transformation
Enraged, the elder brother lashed out, "Why did you involve an outsider? I have told you I will not give you any share. You have become greedy. Become an elephant and roam in the forests." In retaliation, the younger brother cursed the elder to become a tortoise and live in the sea. Thus transformed, the elephant (younger brother) hid all the wealth in the forest, where it gradually wasted away due to his inability to utilize it.
The Eternal Struggle
Years passed, and one day, the elephant ventured near the sea, where his brother, now a tortoise, resided. Recognizing each other, the tortoise seized the elephant’s trunk, attempting to drag him into the water, while the elephant struggled to pull the tortoise onto the land. This tug-of-war continued endlessly, with neither side prevailing.
Intervention of Garuda
Garuda, the mighty eagle and mount of Vishnu, observed this futile struggle from the skies. Hearing the elephant's plea to Vishnu for release from his torment, Garuda decided to intervene. He picked up both the elephant and the tortoise and searched for a place to rest and consume them.
Spotting a large banyan tree, Garuda alighted on it, but the tree, unable to bear his weight, began to topple. On the tree were sages deep in meditation. In a bid to protect the sages, Garuda held the tree in his beak and the two animals in his claws. He gently placed the sages on safe ground and then discarded the tree, which landed in a land of the chandalas, causing their deaths. However, dying by Garuda's hand granted them a place in heaven.
Seeking Brahma's Counsel
Garuda then approached Brahma, seeking guidance on where he could eat his captives in peace. Brahma directed him to the peak of Mount Sumeru. Upon reaching there, Garuda prepared to feast when Vayu, the wind god, arrived and demanded an explanation for Garuda's presence. Garuda’s refusal to leave prompted Vayu to threaten to break the mountain peak.
The Cataclysm and Creation of Lanka
Vayu unleashed a tremendous storm, creating a calamity that threatened the very fabric of creation. Brahma, accompanied by other gods, intervened and asked Garuda to uncover the peak with his wings. Reluctantly, Garuda complied, and the peak, released from his protection, broke off and fell into the sea. It settled with a significant portion rising above the water's surface.
The Birth of Lanka
This emergent landmass became the foundation upon which Vishwakarma, the divine architect, built the magnificent city of Lanka. This new city came under the rule of the Rakshasa king Malyavan, setting the stage for the epic events to unfold in the Ramayana.
Thus, through a series of curses, divine encounters, and cosmic events, the island of Lanka came into existence, becoming a central location in the epic saga of the Ramayana.