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the sake of an ordinary mortal woman?"
On hearing this, Laksmana was infuriated. He said, "Foolish envoy, your obstinate master does not know the strength of his enemy. The death hovering above him has made his senses so numb that he is uttering like a child. Go and convey him these words, 'O barbarian, woe to you and your clan. Come over and fight with me, if you have courage. O timid, has the valour of Rama and Laksmana striked so much terror in your heart that you are now eager to talk of peace. No matter what you do, you cannot elude the death that is hovering above you and your cursed domain." The envoy passed on this message to Rāvana. After hearing it, he summoned the minsters. The wise minsters once again advised him
to release Sitā and warned him, "If you still insist on acting stubborn then death and devastation will be the reigning supreme in Lankā shortly."
Depressed and desolate Ravana decided to perform austerities in order to appease Bahurupini vidyā. He visited the temple of Lord Sri Santinātha. He prostrated before the holy icon and sang praises of the lord. Then, he sat on a stone gem with counting beads in his hand. Mandodari ordered Yama to proclaim a royal order throughout Lankā. The order said, "The king desires that counting from now, the citizens of Lankā will spend two days in worship and prayers. Those who break the royal command will be put to death." The spies of Sugriva brought this news to their master. Sugriva rushed over to Śri Rāma
and said, "My master, we can tackle Ravana as long as he does not obtain the Bahurupini vidyā. If he succeeds in this penance, we will never be able to vanquish him. It is imperative to create obstacles in his penance." Rama replied, "Ravana is crooked by nature. He may create obstacles in the penance of others. I cannot do it and I would not do it."
Rāvaņa, penancing for Bahurupiņi
When Rama refused to obstruct Rāvana's penance, Angada and other warriors reached the se cret place, where Ravana was involved in the austere penance. By using magical spells, Angada had made himself and others invisible. On reaching his destination, Angada said, "Rāvana, I can clearly see the terror of Rama that is visible in your eyes. You call yourself a devotee of Lord Santinatha and yet like a nonbeliever, you indulge into mystical rituals. I condemn you for your deplorable practice. You, like a coward, abducted Sita in Rāma's absence. See, what am I doing to your wife." Saying this he began to drag Mandodari by pulling her hair. She began to lament and begged Ravana to rush for her rescue, but he was so engrossed in his worship that he did not even lift up his head....
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