Indra was deeply distressed at his humiliation. Brahma then reminded him of how he had violated Ahalya, who had been given by Brahma himself to the sage Gautama as his wife. An angry Gautama had then cursed him saying that his position would henceforth not be permanent. Reminded of his deeds, a chastened Indra then performed the Vaishnava sacrifice to atone for his sins.

 

Rama was amazed to hear about the terrible deeds of Ravana. He asked Agastya whether there was no one who had ever defeated Ravana. Agastya then narrated how Ravana had been humiliated by Arjuna of Mahishmati.

 

Once, the great king Arjuna of the Haiheyas was sporting with his women in the forests, when Ravana reached his palace. When Ravana found Arjuna was not there, he went to the Narmada, bathed there, and worshipped a golden linga of Shiva along with his aides. Meanwhile, Arjuna, who was sporting in the same waters decided to test his strength.

 

Using the power of his mighty arms, he blocked the waters of the Narmada, making the water flow back. This caused a flood and affected Ravana’s rituals. The furious Ravana then sent his aides Shuka and Sarana to find out what had happened. They reported that a great man with a thousand arms had blockaded the Narmada.

 

Ravana realised the man was Arjuna and left to challenge him to a duel. He arrived where Arjuna was sporting and repeated his challenge. Arjuna’s advisors asked him to come the next day since the king was drunk and sporting with his women. Ravana’s aides then killed Arjuna’s advisors and devoured them.

 

When Arjuna found out what had happened, he picked up a club and charged at the rakshasas. He first struck Prahasta, making that mighty rakshasa fall. Seeing him fall, the other aides of Ravana fled. Ravana then charged at Arjuna, and the two mighty warriors fought. They struck at each other with their mighty clubs.

 

Arjuna’s repeated blows on the chest stunned Ravana. Arjuna then seized him and tied him up. When Arjuna captured Ravana, the Gods showered flowers from the skies. Seeing their king captured, Prahasta and the other rakshasas attacked Arjuna. But the mighty king of Mahishmati drove them away. He returned to his kingdom with the captive Ravana.

 

The sage Pulastya came to know of what had happened. He left for Mahishmathi. When Arjuna learnt that the sage had arrived, he welcomed him. Washing the sage’s feet, the king honoured the great sage. Pulastya then praised Arjuna for defeating Ravana whom none could defeat. He asked Arjuna to release Ravana.

 

Arjuna agreed to the sage’s request and released Ravana. The king of Lanka was humiliated and sought friendship with Arjuna. Ravana’s arrogance was not reduced, and he continued to fight with other kings.

 

When Ravana learnt that the vanara Vali was ruling Kishkinda, he went there to challenge Vali. He search for Vali and found him worshipping the sun in the waters. Ravana walked towards Vali silently, intending to grab him, but Vali saw him. Just as Vali was about to be grabbed, he quickly turned and grabbed Ravana.

 

Vali then leapt into the air, flying away with Ravana. The rakshasas were shocked and followed Vali but could not match up to his speed. Vali travelled to all four oceans and performed the evening rituals even as he held Ravana. Finally, he returned to Kishkinda. Laughing at Ravana, Vali finally released him.

 

Ravana expressed his amazement at how Vali had captured him. He then decided to have friendship with the Lord of the apes. Vali then invited Ravana as his guest. After staying there for some time, Ravana left for his kingdom. After narrating this story, Agastya told Rama that even though Vali was so powerful, Rama had killed him easily.