And thy body
will not be disfigured and thou shall be able to assume any form
according to thy desire and become the conqueror of thy foes in battle.
There is no doubt of this!" thereupon Ravana said, "May I never
experience defeat at the hands of Gandharvas, Celestials, Kinnaras,
Asuras, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Serpents and all other creatures!" Brahma
said, "From those that hast named, thou shalt never have cause of fear;
except from men (thou shalt have no occasion for fear). Good betide
thee! So hath it been ordained by me!"'
"Markandeya said, 'Thus addressed, the Ten-headed (Ravana) was highly
gratified, for on account of his perverted understanding, the man-eating
one slighted human beings. Then the great Grandsire addressed
Kumbhakarna as before. His reason being clouded by darkness, he asked
for long-lasting sleep. Saying, "It shall be so!" Brahma then addressed
Vibhishana, "O my son, I am much pleased with thee! Ask any boon thou
pleasest!" Thereupon, Vibhishana replied, "Even in great danger, may I
never swerve from the path of righteousness, and though ignorant, may I,
O adorable Sire, be illumined with the light of divine knowledge!" And
Brahma replied, "O scourge of thy enemies, as thy soul inclines not to
unrighteousness although born in the _Rakshasa race_, I grant thee
immortality!"'
"Markandeya continued, 'Having obtained this boon, the Ten-headed
Rakshasa defeated Kuvera in battle and obtained from him the sovereignty
of Lanka.
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