I have a more elementary question on this whole episode of Ahiravan, since what I had read earlier (Krittivas Bengali Ramayan) was quite different from this.
1. First of all, there was only one ruler of Pataal - Mahiravan, who was said to be a son of Ravan. There was no Ahiravan or anyone else here.
2. Ravan invoked Mahiravan after the deaths of Kumbhakarna and Indrajit, since he was now desperate to find someone else who could do what they couldn't. In this episode, this is shown at the start of the war, rather than at the end as a last ditch effort by Ravan.
3. Vibhishan got wind of the plan of Ravan to send Mahiravan, and knew that Mahiravan could pull off any tricks. Hanuman, as depicted in this serial, wrapped his tail around the tent. Vibhishan warned him that Mahiravan would try to trick him into letting him in, and to not allow anyone in unless cleared by Vibhishan.
4. As expected, Mahiravan first visited Hanuman in the guises of Dasharath and Bharat, and Hanuman asked each of them to wait until Vibhishan arrived. Each time that Vibhishan arrived, those characters disappeared, since Mahiravan knew that Vibhishan would recognize him.
5. After a few such rounds, Mahiravan visited Hanuman in the guise of Vibhishan (which was a brilliant twist on his part), and asked to enter, and Hanuman let him in. Mahiravan then put Rama & Lakshman to sleep and made them disappear with him to Pataal.
6.When the real Vibhishan arrived, Hanuman was furious and ready to assault him, thinking that he was Mahiravan. However, Vibhishan calmed him down and they all entered the camp and found Rama & Lakshman missing. Hanuman then set off for Pataal.
7. After finding Pataal, Hanuman visits the godess (I think it was Mahakali) and asks her about Mahiravan. She reveals to him that Mahiravan wants to do a human sacrifice which he does more to get rid of his enemies, rather than placate her. She then suggests to Hanuman a plan which he then carries out. It includes having to blow out 5 diyas simultaneously, which Hanuman does with his panchamukh form
8. Hanuman wakes up Rama & Lakshman, tells them everything and what the devi has suggested, since he cannot free them. When they are readied for the sacrifice the next day, Rama & Lakshman are asked by Mahi to bow before the godess.
9. Rama & Lakshman claim that as royalty, they have no idea of how to bow to anyone - it's other people who bow to them. Mahiravan thinks they are pretty stupid, but throws down his scimitar, which he was going to use to behead them, and throws himself at the alter to demonstrate how bowing is done.
10. Hanuman quickly assumes his huge form, grabs the scimitar and beheads Mahiravan and throws his head into the sacrificial fire. He then chases out the danavs, and frees Rama & Lakshman and returns with them to the real world.
No mention here of Chandrasena or the bees.
The story I mentioned above was in the Bengali version Krittivas. Since a lot here seem familiar with Ahiravan and Chandrasena, can anyone tell me which version of the Ramayan this particular variation came from?