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## Chapter 16
The Padma Purana describes how Ravana and his brothers went to learn various sciences. Ravana acquired many sciences and returned. He then married Mandodari and 6000 other women and conquered many kings in his Digvijaya. In this account, Indra, Yama, Varuna, etc. are not gods but ordinary Vidyaadhar kings. During this conquest, Ravana rejected the love proposal of a woman named Nalakuvar, claiming to be superior. He heard the teachings of a Kevali and vowed not to enjoy any woman who did not desire him. Ravana shattered Indra's pride. The arrogance of Bali, a king, turned into detachment due to Ravana's attack. Bali renounced the world and took the Daigambari initiation, making Sugriva the king. Hanuman's true birth and his childhood antics amazed everyone. Hanuman fought against Varuna on Ravana's behalf and married Anangakusuma, the daughter of Chandra Nakha. Khara Dushan married Ravana's sister, Chandranakha. Later, they had a son named Shambhuka.
## [2] Birth and Marriage of Rama and Sita
This chapter begins with the lineage of Janaka and Dasharatha, followed by the mention of Dasharatha's three wives: 1. Kaushalya, 2. Sumitra, and 3. Suprabha. One day, Ravana learned that his death would be caused by the descendants of King Janaka and Dasharatha. Ravana sent his brother Vibhishan to kill them. However, before Vibhishan arrived, Narada warned both kings, who left their palaces, leaving behind statues resembling their bodies. Vibhishan, mistaking the statues for the real kings, killed them and threw their heads into the salt sea, feeling secure. During his travels, King Dasharatha reached Kekayi's Swayamvara. Kekayi placed a garland around Dasharatha's neck, which angered other kings. This led to a war between them and Dasharatha. Kekayi was a valiant woman and drove Dasharatha's chariot herself. King Dasharatha, with his prowess and cunning, won the war and returned to Ayodhya to rule. Dasharatha, cleverly pleasing Kekayi, asked her to ask for a boon, which he promised to grant. He kept the boon safe in the royal treasury. Dasharatha had four queens, including Kekayi, and they gave birth to four sons: Rama from Kaushalya, Lakshmana from Sumitra, Bharata from Kekayi, and Shatrughna from Suprabha.
King Janaka's wife, the queen of Videha, gave birth to a daughter, Sita, and a son, Bhamandal. At birth, Bhamandal was abducted by an enemy from his previous life. Bhamandal was found by a Vidyaadhar, who raised him. Seeing Sita's portrait through Narada's grace, Bhamandal developed a strong affection for her. He tricked Janaka into coming to the Vidyaadhar realm. Despite Bhamandal's father's request, Janaka refused to give him his daughter, as he had already promised her to Rama, the son of King Dasharatha. Finally, the Vidyaadhar proposed a condition: if Rama could string the Vajraavarta bow, he would get Sita; otherwise, they would forcefully take her for their son. Janaka reluctantly agreed to this condition. The Swayamvara took place, and Rama strung the bow. He married Sita. Dasharatha decided to give the kingdom to Rama. Then, Kekayi, using the boon she had saved in the royal treasury, demanded that Bharata be made the king. Hearing this, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita left for the south. They helped many troubled kings along the way. Kekayi and Bharata went to the forest and requested Rama to return, but their efforts were in vain.