Ahiravan Vadh

Dadi: "Beta Guddu, do you remember how Hanuman flew to Lanka, burned the city, and found Sita Ma for Lord Rama?"

Guddu: "Yes, Dadi! Hanuman is my favorite!"

Dadi: "Well, let me tell you about another time Hanuman had to save Rama - this time from a demon who lived in the underworld!"

Guddu: "The underworld? What's that?"

Dadi: "Deep below the earth, there's a realm called Patala Lok. It's a strange place where everything works backwards - the old become young, fire feels cold, and water flows upward. In this strange world lived a powerful demon named Ahiravan."

Guddu: "Why would a demon from underground care about Rama?"

Dadi: "Because Ahiravan was the brother of Putana and Bakasura - demons killed by Krishna - and he was also connected to Ravana. Ravana had lost many warriors and was desperate. He sent word to his brother Ahiravan: "Come and help me destroy Rama!""

Guddu: "What was Ahiravan's plan?"

Dadi: "Ahiravan was a devotee of the goddess Mahamaya. He would sacrifice humans to her to gain power. His plan was terrible - he would kidnap Rama and Lakshmana and sacrifice them to the goddess!"

Guddu: "Oh no! But how could he get to Rama?"

Dadi: "Vibhishana, Ravana's good brother who had joined Rama's side, somehow learned of this plot. He warned everyone and asked Hanuman to guard Rama and Lakshmana through the night."

Guddu: "Hanuman to the rescue!"

Dadi: "Hanuman took his duty very seriously. He coiled his enormous tail around the tent where Rama and Lakshmana slept, creating a living fortress. No one could get through without passing him first."

Guddu: "That's so clever! Did it work?"

Dadi: "Ahiravan was a master of illusions and magic, beta. He disguised himself perfectly as Vibhishana - the trusted advisor! When he approached Hanuman, the monkey warrior saw someone who looked exactly like Vibhishana and let him through."

Guddu: "It was a trick!"

Dadi: "Yes. The moment the fake Vibhishana got close enough, he grabbed both Rama and Lakshmana and vanished - taking them deep underground to Patala Lok!"

Guddu: "Hanuman must have been so upset!"

Dadi: "He was devastated, beta. He had failed to protect his beloved lord! But instead of giving up, he vowed to find them. Vibhishana told him how to reach Patala Lok, and Hanuman dove underground into that strange, reversed world."

Guddu: "What did he find there?"

Dadi: "First, he met a mighty warrior guarding the entrance to Ahiravan's palace. This warrior challenged Hanuman to a fight, and during their battle, Hanuman learned something shocking."

Guddu: "What?"

Dadi: "The warrior was named Makardhwaja, and he claimed to be Hanuman's son!"

Guddu: "Hanuman's son? But Hanuman never married!"

Dadi: "It's a strange story, beta. When Hanuman had leapt across the ocean to Lanka, a drop of his sweat fell into the sea. A sea creature swallowed it, and from that, Makardhwaja was born. Ahiravan had found him and made him his guard."

Guddu: "So Hanuman had to fight his own son?"

Dadi: "Makardhwaja said, "Even if you are my father, I must do my duty to my master." Father and son fought fiercely! Eventually, Hanuman defeated him, but he was impressed by his son's honor and courage."

Guddu: "Then what about Rama and Lakshmana?"

Dadi: "Inside the palace, Hanuman met a kind woman named Chandrasena who revealed Ahiravan's secret: "The demon can only be killed by putting out five magical lamps at the same time. These lamps face five different directions and protect his life.""

Guddu: "Five lamps in five directions? How could anyone do that?"

Dadi: "This is when Hanuman showed his true divine power, beta. He transformed into his Panchmukhi form - the five-faced Hanuman! One face was his own, and the other four were Narasimha the lion-man, Garuda the eagle, Varaha the boar, and Hayagriva the horse."

Guddu: "Five faces! That's amazing!"

Dadi: "With five mouths facing five directions, Hanuman blew out all five lamps at the exact same moment. Ahiravan became vulnerable!"

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "Meanwhile, Ahiravan had prepared Rama and Lakshmana for sacrifice. He brought them before the goddess's idol and asked them to bow so he could cut off their heads."

Guddu: "Did they bow?"

Dadi: "Clever Rama said, "We are princes. We don't know how to bow. Show us how." The arrogant Ahiravan bent down to demonstrate, and at that very moment - SWOOSH! - Hanuman struck and cut off the demon's head!"

Guddu: "Yes! Hanuman saved them!"

Dadi: "The sacrifice was stopped. Rama and Lakshmana were freed. Before leaving Patala Lok, Rama met Makardhwaja and was impressed by his honor. He made Makardhwaja the new king of the underworld."

Guddu: "That's fair - Makardhwaja was just doing his duty!"

Dadi: "Exactly, beta. Then Hanuman carried both Rama and Lakshmana back to the battlefield, where they could continue the war against Ravana."

Guddu: "Hanuman is really the greatest devotee, isn't he, Dadi?"

Dadi: "There's no limit to what love can do, beta. Hanuman went to the ends of the earth - literally! - to save his Lord. He fought his own son, took on five forms, and never gave up."

Guddu: "I want to be devoted like Hanuman someday."

Dadi: "Start small, beta. Be devoted to your family, your studies, your duties. When you put your whole heart into something, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish. That's the Hanuman spirit!"

Guddu: "Jai Hanuman, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Jai Hanuman, beta!"