- After the Rama Setu stretched across the sea, Rama thought to perform prayers before beginning their journey to Lanka. Shiva Ji guided him to establish a Shivalinga at the shore and perform a yajna. The yajna was to be by a learned pandit. Rama thought about Ravana. He sent his messenger to Lanka to invite Ravana to perform the yajna.
- Ravana rejoiced, listening to the invitation. Though he was careful about any treachery on Rama’s part, Ravana agreed. Ravana was shocked to see the devastation of his province by the first messenger of Rama. Ravana felt that he would be happy to perform a yajna for Shiva, his Guru. Rama had to perform a successful yajna which was not possible in Mother Sita’s absence. Ravana requested Trijata to ask Mother Sita to prepare for the yajna. According to the classical regimes of yajna, married couples had to perform the ceremony together.
- Ravana prepared his pushpaka vimana and, Mother sat in the plane. Within a short period, they reached Rameshwaram. Ravana ruled out the holy timings from the classical texts and declared that they should perform yajna the next morning.
- The ceremony commenced successfully. As the yajna was at its verge, Rama and Mother had to render Daan and Dakshina to the pandit. Rama was a hermit in exile. He didn’t have any cash or coins.
- Mother and Rama bowed low before the Shivalinga to take guidance from Shiva. As they stretched their arms, a speck of dust from the alter touched Ravana’s feet. Ravana felt that Mother Jagdamba granted him everything, be it Daan, Dakshina, or the rest. The yajna ended successfully.
- Bhakti (devotion) threaded Rama and Ravana together. Ravana’s devotion to Shiva bestowed him the power of Shakti in the alter. Shakti helped him to fight with Rama before Vijayadashmi. But, his sins yielded his death. Rama performed the yajna for his army was bestowed with divine strength. He was eternally strong.
