Image title: Children’s Illustrated Ramayana: Figure 1

Long long ago there lived in Lanka three rakshasas named Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana, all sons of Visravas. Through hard penance the three brothers obtained valuable boons from Brahma, the Creator.

Ravana was assured that he would be free from death except at the hands of men. Kumbhakarna, because of a slip of his tongue, was blessed with long spells of undisturbed sleep. Vibhishana asked for and got the boon that his devotion to Mahavishnu, the Protector, would never diminish.

Assured of his might, Ravana defeated Kubera, the God of wealth, in a great battle. Ravana seized from Kubera the island of Lanka and a Pushpaka Vimana in which, by a mere wish, he could travel anywhere he liked.

When Ravana became the ruler of Lanka, all the rakshasas living beneath the earth came over to the island. The rakshasas were very cruel. They fought against the Devas and tormented the rishis. Unable to bear the harsh rule of Ravana, the Devas complained to Brahma.

Brahma, accompanied by the Devas, waited on Lord Vishnu and prayed that both heaven and earth be saved from the evil of the rakshasas.

Gallery information:

These illustrations are from the book called “Children's Illustrated Ramayana” which is an abridged retelling of the Ramayana authored by Vishnu B while the illustrations are by Vipin K. Das.

Note: You can read the full English translation of the Ramayana on this site.

Source: archive.org (external link; opens in new tab).