Posted:
I heard this story somewhere, and wanted to hear from you all whether it is true. It's pretty interesting.
Ravan, King of Lanka, once heard great tales of valour of King Dasharath, the Lord of Ayodhya and Kosala. Ravan - whose ambition was to rule the three worlds - was filled with envy and sent messengers to the court of Dasharath asking the king to pay homage and tribute to him or face war. Dasharath shot off arrows into the air and told the messengers that, on their return to Lanka, they will find the gates of Lanka enclosed with his arrows. Everything became true, and on the messengers' return to Lanka, they found their beautiful city barred with King Dasharath's arrows. Ravan was unable to get the arrows out, and had to wait for King Dasharath to summon them back.
Defeated, Ravan became angry. Knowing that Dasharath was superior to him, Ravana undertook intense tapas to seek the favor of Lord Brahma. When Lord Brahma appeared in front of him, Ravana asked "Lord! Bless me with this gift of Grace: let no child be born from the loins of Dasharath." Lord Brahma told him that was impossible, as there was a divine plan which circulated around the future sons' of Dasharath, but to grant him his boon, Lord Brahma said that King Dasharath would not have children for many many years, until he was very old. Ravan, who felt that it would be impssible for King Dasharath to have children when he was old, was satisfied with the boon and returned home.
Just two questions: is this story in Valmiki Ramayan, and is it true?
