“Markandeya continued, ’Having obtained this boon, the Ten-headed Rakshasa defeated Kuvera in battle and obtained from him the sovereignty of Lanka.  That adorable Being, leaving Lanka and followed by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshas, and Kinnaras, went to live on mount Gandhamadana.  And Ravana forcibly took from him the celestial chariot Pushpaka.  And upon this Vaisravana cursed him, saying, “This chariot shall never carry thee; it shall bear him who will slay thee in battle!  And as thou hast insulted me, thy elder brother, thou shalt soon die!”

“’The pious Vibhishana, O King, treading in the path followed by the virtuous and possessed of great glory, followed Kuvera.  That adorable Lord of wealth, highly pleased with his younger brothers, invested him with the command of the Yaksha and Raksha hosts.  On the other hand, the powerful and man-eating Rakshasas and Pisachas, having assembled together, invested the Ten-headed Ravana with their sovereignty.  And Ravana, capable of assuming any form at will and terrible in prowess, and capable also of passing through the air, attacked the gods and the Daityas and wrested from them all their valuable possessions.  And as he had terrified all creatures, he was called Ravana.  And Ravana, capable of mustering any measure of might inspired the very gods with terror.’”

SECTION CCLXXIV

“Markandeya said, ’Then the Brahmarshis, the Siddhas and the Devarshis, with Havyavaha as their spokesman, sought the protection of Brahma.  And Agni said, “That powerful son of Visrava, the Ten-headed cannot be slain on account of thy boon!  Endued with great might he oppresseth in every possible way the creatures of the earth.  Protect us, therefore, O adorable one!  There is none else save thee to protect us!”

“’Brahma said, “O Agni, he cannot be conquered in battle by either the gods or the Asuras!  I have already ordained that which is needful for that purpose.  Indeed his death is near!  Urged by me, the four-headed God hath already been incarnate for that object.  Even Vishnu, that foremost of smiters will achieve that object!"’

“Markandeya continued, ’Then the Grandsire also asked Sakra, in their presence, “Be thou, with all the celestials, born on earth!  And beget ye on monkeys and bears, heroic sons possessed of great strength and capable of assuming any form at will as allies of Vishnu!” And at this, the gods, the Gandharvas and the Danavas quickly assembled to take counsel as to how they should be born on earth according to their respective parts.  And in their presence the boon-giving god commanded a Gandharvi, by name Dundubhi saying, “Go there for accomplishing this object!” And Dundubhi hearing these words of the Grandsire was born in the world of men as the hunchbacked Manthara.  And all the principal celestials, with Sakra and others