The War of Brothers—How Ravana Stole Lanka from Kubera

Kubera was born to Sage Vishrava and his first wife, Devavarnini, a noblewoman of divine lineage. From birth, he was marked for greatness. Appointed as the Lord of Wealth and Guardian of the North (Dikpala), Kubera held dominion over prosperity, treasures, and all the riches of the three worlds. His abode was the legendary island of Lanka, a hidden realm cloaked in mystique and marvel.

Lanka, under Kubera, was transformed into a golden utopia. Crafted by celestial architects like Vishwakarma, the city dazzled with streets of crystal, palaces of gold, and gardens that bloomed with enchanted flora. His royal court, Kubersabha, became a symbol of cosmic abundance—where sages, Gandharvas, and Devas congregated in the aura of wisdom and light.

His most prized possession was the Pushpaka Vimana—a divine, self-driving aerial chariot, gifted by Lord Brahma. It could expand or contract based on the occupant's will and flew faster than the mind. Kubera’s reign was radiant, prosperous, and just.


But fate had more in store for Sage Vishrava. Under pressure from the Rakshasa king Sumali, he married the rakshasi princess Kaikesi, and from their union were born four children—Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and Surpanakha. Though of the same bloodline, the children of Kaikesi bore the asura traits—fiery, ambitious, and powerful beyond measure.

Ravana, the eldest, was born with unmatched intelligence, strength, and an unquenchable thirst for supremacy. As he grew, so did his ambition. Trained in Vedic knowledge and armed with boons from Lord Shiva and Brahma, Ravana saw himself not merely as a king—but as a future overlord of the cosmos.

Jealousy gnawed at Ravana’s heart. How could his brother, Kubera, born of the same father, sit on the golden throne of Lanka while he, the mightier one, remained in the shadows? The seeds of conquest had already begun to sprout.

The spark that lit the fire came not from politics, but from lust. One day, while visiting Kubera’s palace, Ravana laid eyes on Rambha, a celestial apsara and the wife of Nalakubera—Kubera’s son. In a moment of unrestrained desire, Ravana committed a vile act against her. Rambha, who was like a daughter to him, pleaded, cried, and resisted—but Ravana's arrogance overruled every moral compass.

When Nalakubera learned of this disgrace, his rage knew no bounds. He pronounced a terrible curse upon his uncle:
“If ever you force yourself upon another woman against her will, your head shall shatter into a hundred pieces!”

This curse became a chain around Ravana's neck. It was this very curse that prevented him from violating Devi Sita, even after kidnapping her. Lust could tempt him, but death threatened him.

The curse shattered whatever remained of fraternal ties between Kubera and Ravana. Ravana, now inflamed by ambition and hatred, set out to conquer his brother’s kingdom. Backed by boons, magic, and a growing army of rakshasas, Ravana stormed Lanka.

Kubera, though noble and divinely blessed, was not a warrior like his younger brother. He resisted bravely but was defeated. Ravana usurped Lanka, claimed the Pushpaka Vimana, and seized all of Kubera’s treasures.

Kubera, heartbroken but dignified, retreated to Mount Kailasa, where he became the attendant and devotee of Lord Shiva. There, he continued his celestial duties as the Lord of Wealth, far from the city he once called home.


Ravana’s rule over Lanka began in glory. The city shone brighter, the armies swelled, and his name struck fear across the three worlds. He challenged gods, conquered territories, and proclaimed himself “Lankeshwar – The Lord of Lanka.”

But Ravana’s rise came with a price. Pride, the oldest enemy of kings, consumed him. His capture of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, triggered a war that would burn Lanka and end his reign. The very curse that stopped him from touching Sita also sealed his fate—because she became the reason for his destruction.

In the end, Lanka—once a symbol of prosperity under Kubera—was reduced to ashes under Ravana. The golden city witnessed both the zenith of wealth and the nadir of downfall.

The story of Ravana and Kubera is not just about a fight between brothers. It is a deep reflection on karma, dharma, and destiny. Kubera, born of purity, gained his throne through divine merit. Ravana, born of fire, seized it through force. But in the end, it was Kubera who endured—his role eternal in the cosmic balance, while Ravana became a symbol of tragic brilliance consumed by ego.

From a spiritual lens, Kubera represents stable prosperity—earned through virtue and devotion—while Ravana stands for ambitious power—gained through force but destroyed by arrogance. Their conflict reminds us that what is seized unjustly can never be truly possessed, and that wealth without dharma leads to ruin.