Namaste All

I have just (last week) finished re-reading the Ramayana.

The story there is that Kumbhakarna, from birth already, would devour everything he could get hold of.

This included ascetics rich in pennances and firm in their vows, innocents as well as various animals.

Even on the battlefield, he caused mass confusion by devouring large portions of the monkey army.

The story says that after he and his older brother had practised severe austerities and pennances he received a curse from Brahma as well as a boon.

He was condemned to sleep for months at a time - so that he would not end up devouring the entire creation.

I will also need to check the Bhagavatam (it must be about 20 years since I read the story) but therein (I think this is what you are referring to) Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by Sanatkumara when they barred his entry to Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntha.

If I recall, they were both to be reborn 3 times and each time to be killed by Lord Vishnu himself.

The incarnations were:
Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu

Ravana and Kumbhakarna

Kamsa and Sisupala (Here my memory may be wrong!)

As with all things, his destruction was previously ordained.

As an aside, I have always seen an allegory that Ravana and Kumbhakarna represent the chiefs of our desires.

In the case of Kumbhakarna it seems he represents Greed and Slothfulness.
As such, the Lord within needs to slay these desires in order to bring peace to the being.

Regards

Ryan

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Regards

Ryan Armstrong
+27 82 852 7787
rya...@gmail.com