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a lion in strength and valour, who striked terror in the hearts of his enemies, is now running away like a timid rabbit. I, your widowed sister, surrender myself at your feet and beg to avenge the humiliations that I have suffered. The souls of our dear departed will not rest in peace, until you vanquish their foe"
Candragati, the son of Vali, and the nephew of Sugriva, grew suspicious of the imposter and stopped him from entering the harem. The army was summoned. The similar resemblance between the two Sugrivas left them wonderstruck. Sugriva's own trusted warriors and friends failed to point out the imposter, this let to a division in the army. Finally, Hanumana was summoned by Sugriva. He too failed to recognise the imposter. As a last resort, Sugriva sent a missive to Rama, requesting him to rush for his rescue. He further promised that, if, by Rama's grace, he could get rid of the imposter, he would forever, be Rama's slave, and aid him in his quest for Sita. Though Rāma was afflicted with misery, he rushed immediately to help Sugriva, for, Rāma was kindness personified. Sugriva challenged the imposter for a duel. A fierce battle was fought between them. When they inflicted mighty blows on each other, the earth trembled with their maces. The resemblance between Sāhasagati and Sugriva was so striking that even Rama could not catch the imposter.
Rāvana consoled his sister, who was weeping uncontrolably, and said, "Dear Sister, are you not acquainted with the valour of your brother Ravana? I am the master of weapons, missiles and sorcery. Besides that, I possess enormous physical and intellectual strength. I am the lord of three khanda's. My name strikes terror in the hearts of dieties, stars and planets. My sister ! while sharing your grief, I solemnly assure you that the impertinent mortal, who has murdered your husband and his kin, cannot run away from my clutches. I shall never rest till I annihilate him."
Finally, Rāma lifted his famous bow called Vajravarta and plucked its string. The string made such a fierce sound that the Pratarini vidyā left Sahasagati's person and ran like a scared deer. Everyone could now see Sahasagati in his original form, trembling with fear. “Sinner Sāhasagati, how dare you cast a covetous glance on a lady married to someone else?" shouted Rama angrily. Next moment Rama's arrow struck Sāhasagati's heart, like lightening, and he fell on the earth, bleeding profusely, and breathed his last. Rāma reinstated Sugriva on the throne of Kişkindhā. Sugriva was ready to offer thirteen of his daughters to Rama in marriage but Rama refused, saying that, the quest of Sita was his topmost priority and therefore, it wouldn't be fair for him to marry. When the news of the death of Khara and Düşana reached Lanka, Rāvana's wife Mandodari and the other ladies belonging to the royal family went into mourning. While they were weeping, Rāvana's sister Surpanakha too reached there. When she saw Rāvana, she began to beat her breasts and lamented loudly, "Your enemy has murdered my husband, my brother-in-law and my beloved son. He mercilessly slaughtered fourteen thousand strongest vidyadharas, that were a pride of my husband. You had coronated my son as the ruler of Patalalankā. He too has been dethroned and is roaming like a pauper.... my son, who surpassed
His heart was tormented by the strong desire and passion that he felt for Sitā. This and his sisters plight, for her departed husband and son, ruined his sleep. He would remain wide awake throughout the night. Mandodari noticed this and asked, "My beloved master, you are the ruler of the three major khanda's. The dieties envy your wealth and power. You have everything in the world and yet, like an ordinary mortal, you seem to be worried about something. I am your wife, your better half. Your plight has ruined my happiness. Please tell me the reason of your sorrow, and let me know if I can help you." Ravana said, "Inspite of me being prosperous, brave and powerful, Sita has no place for me in her heart. This has given restlessness to my heart. This has deprived me of my sleep. If you could be my envoy, and plead to her about my suffering, she might respond to my love and offer herself to me. I have svowed in the presence of my gurus that I shall never have physical relations with any woman, against her will. If Sita voluntarily comes over to me, I shall not only be able to satisfy my senses, but the promise given to my gurus shall also remain unbroken".
i Once, Rāvana went to Mount Meru, where Muni Anantavirya was preaching. After bowing and respecting him, he heard the preachings At the end, he asked the muni a How will I die?a The muni answered, ãYou are a prativasudeva, therefore your death will be by the hands of vasudeva, and it's cause will be other women à At that time, he took a pledge that he would never have physical relations with any woman against her will
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