Rambha (asura)

Rambha is an asura in Hindu mythology. Rambha and Karambha are asura brothers, born as the descendants of Danu and Kashyapa. When they were young, both decided to perform penance to get special powers to establish the rule of Danavas in the universe.

Penance and boon
According to the Puranas, Rambha and Karambha did Tapas (Indian religions) at Pañcanada for the blessing of having children. Rambha and Karambha meditated upon Mālavaṭa Yakṣa, the former seated at the centre of the five fires and the latter standing in the water of a lake. Indra found out about this, he decided to kill them, first in the guise of a crocodile dragged Karambha away by the feet and killed him by drowning him. Then Indra went after Rambha to kill him but was saved by Agni. Angry at the death of his brother, Rambha decided to cut off his head and offer it as a sacrifice. When he was about to do so, Agni appeared and told him that suicide was worse than killing others, denouncing it as a great sin, and promised to grant him whatever he desired. Accordingly, Rambha requested Agni for a son more effulgent than the latter, who would conquer the Three Worlds and would not be defeated even by the Devas (Hinduism) and the Asuras. Rambha further wanted that son to be as powerful as Vāyu, exceptionally handsome and skilled in archery. Agni blessed Rambha that he would have, as desired, a son by the woman whom he coveted.

Birth of Mahishasura
On his way back home, he saw a beautiful she-buffalo, called Mahiṣī, which he married. He took the buffalo which got pregnant by him, to Patala to protect it from the attack by other buffaloes. One day another buffalo felt a passion for Rambha's wife and in the fight that Rambha was killed by impaling him with his horns. Later, the water buffalo was killed by Rambha's soldiers. Rambha's wife died in his funeral pyre by jumping into it. It was from the centre of the fire that the very powerful Mahishasura was born. Rambha also rose from the fire under the name Raktabīja along with his brother, Mahishasura.

Rebirth
According to legends, Rambha was reborn as Raktabīja, the army commander of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Raktabīja secured from Shiva a boon according to which if one drop of blood from his body fell on the battlefield, many Raktabījas would arise from the blood and fight the enemies. Each of these Raktabījas would also be like the others in the matter of strength, form, and weapons. When Kaushiki was sent to crush the growing power of these two demon brothers, she had to face the stiffest opposition from Raktabīja. Kaushiki then took the form of Kali, and licked off the blood before they touched the ground. Gradually, Raktabīja was defeated and killed.