And Pulastya’s son- that prime of ascetics- Vishrava- in short time was engaged in asceticism like his father. And he was truthful, and of excellent character and controlled senses; was ever engaged in the study of the Vedas; and was of sanctified spirit; and he was not addicted to any of the pleasures of life, and was always studious of religion. Learning of his ways, that mighty ascetic, Bharadwaja, gave unto Vishrava for his wife, his own daughter, Devavarnini. And having religiously wed Bharadwaja’s daughter, that foremost of ascetics, Vishrava, conceiving the highest delight, began to reflect on the welfare of his offspring with an intelligence concentrated on them. And on her that one cognizant of righteousness begot child, exceedingly wonderful, endowed with energy, and adorned with all Brahma* qualities. On his having been born, his grand-father was rejoiced, and, marking the profitable intelligence (of the boy, he thought that) he would be the lord of riches. And well pleased, (Pulastya) in company with the Devarshis (thought),- “Inasmuch as this is Vishrava’s offspring, and as he resembles Vishrava himself, so he should be known by the name of Vaishravana. And then the exceedingly energetic Vaishravana, repairing to the wood of asceticism, increased (in power) like unto fire fed by sacrificial oblations. And as he was staying in the hermitage, that high-souled one thought,- ‘I shall practise prime righteousness: verily virtue is the supreme way.’ And for thousand years, he, having his senses controlled, practised rigid austerities in that mighty forest, observing (all the while) the most rigorous restrictions. And on thousand years having been numbered, he by turns observed the rules relative to each term (at first) living on water, (then) on air, and (last) going absolutely without any fare. Thus passed away thousand years like one. And then the highly energetic Brahma along with Indra and the celestials, coming to that asylum, addressed (Vaishravana), saying,- ‘O child, am well-pleased with thee for this act of thine, thou of excellent vows. Do thou, good betide thee, ask for the boon (that thou wouldst have), for, magnanimous one, thou art worthy of boon.’ Then Vaignavana said unto the great-father, who was present,- ‘O reverend one, crave for the power of maintaining and protecting people. Thereat, Brahma along with the deities gladly said in gratified spirit,- ‘Very well am about to create the fourth of the Protectors of creatures-Yama, Indra and Varuna,- the position which is sought for by thee. Do thou, O thou cognizant of righteousness, attain the same do thou receive the position of the lord of riches. Thou shalt be the fourth among Shakra, the lord of waters, etc. And do thou take for thy vehicle this car, named Pushpaka, resembling the Sun himself, and thus raise thyself to an equality with the celestials. Good betide thee! We shall (now) go whither we had come, having, my child, done my duty and bestowed on thee the couple of boons.’ Having said this, Brahma along with the celestials went to his own quarters. On the deities with Brahma at their head, having departed for the heavenly regions, the self-possessed lord of wealth of subdued senses with joined hands spoke unto his sire, saying,- ‘O reverend one, have received the wished-for boon from the great-father, but the exalted lord of creatures hath not fixed any abode for me. Therefore, O lord, do thou seek out some dwelling for me, where no creature whatever can come by misfortune. Thus accosted by his son, that best of ascetics, Vishrava, spoke, O righteous one,- ‘Listen O excellent one. On the shore of the Southern sea there is mount named Trikuta. On its brow is beautiful and broad city built by Vishwakarma, named Lanka, resembling the city itself of Indra the great, designed for the abode of Rakshasas,- like unto the Amaravati of Indra. There in Lanka, do thou, forsooth, reside. That romantic city is surrounded with golden wall and moat, and is furnished with engines and weapons; and hath gate ways of gold and lapises. Formerly she was renounced by the Rakshasas afflicted with the fear of Vishnu; and was empty of swarms of Rakshas, who had gone to the nethermost regions. Now Lanka is vacant,- and there is no one that lords it over her. Do thou, my child, for abode, at thine ease repair thither. Thy stay there shall meet with no rub, and no manner of disturbance shall occur there.’ Hearing the righteous speech of his sire, that virtuous-souled one along with thousands of delighted and joyous Rakshasas, began to reside in Lanka stationed on the top of the mount. In short time (Lanka), through his sway, abounded (in wealth). And that foremost of Nairitas, the righteous son of Vishrava, well-pleased, abode in Lanka having the Ocean for her entrenchment. At times the righteous-souled lord of riches, mounted on Pushpaka, in humble guise visited his father and mother. And hymned by hosts of deities and Gandharbas, having his mansion graced with the dancing of Apsaras, and floating on rays like the sun himself, that ruler of riches went to his sire.”
* Such as self-control, asceticism, purity, etc.