| Mali | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Rakshasa Leader |
| Abode | Lanka |
| Texts | Ramayana (Uttara Kanda) |
| Gender | Male |
| Personal information | |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Malyavan and Sumali |
| Consort | Vasuda |
| Children | Anila, Anala, Hara, and Sampati |
Mali (Sanskrit: माली, Mālī) is a Rakshasa in Hindu mythology. Appearing in the Uttara Kanda of the Hindu epic Ramayana, he is the youngest son of Sukesha and Devavati, and the brother of Malyavan and Sumali. Mali was a powerful Rakshasa warlord who co-ruled the golden city of Lanka before being killed in battle by the preserver deity, Vishnu.[1]
Early life and boons
Mali and his two older brothers, Malyavan and Sumali, were born to the divinely blessed Rakshasa king Sukesha and the Gandharva princess Devavati. Ambitious and desiring unparalleled power, the three brothers traveled to Mount Meru to perform intense austerities (tapasya).
Pleased by their dedication, the creator god Brahma appeared and granted them multiple boons, including longevity, invincibility against their foes, mutual unity, and immense physical strength.[2]
Conquest of Lanka and marriage
Upon receiving their boons, Mali and his brothers demanded a grand capital from the divine architect Vishvakarma. Vishvakarma directed them to Lanka, an empty golden city situated on Mount Trikuta. The brothers laid claim to the city and began expanding their empire, striking fear into the hearts of both celestial and terrestrial beings.[1]
To establish his lineage, Mali married a Gandharva woman named Vasuda, the daughter of a Gandharvi named Narmada. Together, they had four sons: Anila, Anala, Hara, and Sampati. These four sons would later become the loyal ministers of Vibhishana, the righteous brother of Ravana, and survive the fall of their father's reclaimed empire.[2]
War with Vishnu and death
Emboldened by Brahma's boons, Mali and his brothers launched a relentless campaign of terror against the Devas (gods), sages, and humans. Unable to withstand the assault, the gods fled to the god Shiva for protection. Because Shiva had granted boons to the brothers' father (Sukesha), he refused to kill them but advised the gods to seek the help of Vishnu.[3]
When the Rakshasas learned that the gods had petitioned Vishnu, Mali, alongside his brothers, aggressively marshaled their forces and marched to attack the heavens. Vishnu mounted his divine eagle, Garuda, and engaged the Rakshasa army.
During the fierce battle, Mali rushed at Vishnu with his weapons, successfully striking Garuda and temporarily halting Vishnu's advance. However, Vishnu swiftly retaliated. Wielding his divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra, Vishnu hurled it at Mali, decapitating him instantly. The sight of Mali's death broke the morale of the Rakshasa army, causing his surviving brothers, Sumali and Malyavan, to abandon Lanka and flee into the underworld of Patala.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Valmiki (1959). "Chapter 5: The Story of the three Sons of Sukesha". The Ramayana of Valmiki. Vol. 3: Uttara Kanda. Translated by Shastri, Hari Prasad. London: Shanti Sadan. pp. 379–382.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|url-access=free(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 472. ISBN 978-0842608220.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|url-access=free(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Valmiki (1959). "Chapters 6–8: The War between Vishnu and the Rakshasas". The Ramayana of Valmiki. Vol. 3: Uttara Kanda. Translated by Shastri, Hari Prasad. London: Shanti Sadan. pp. 383–393.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|url-access=free(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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