What Happened When Raavan Captured The Navagrahas?

Ravan wanted to make his son Meghnath immortal and invincible by defeating the Navagrahas. He had received divine knowledge and a boon from Lord Shiva and became a scholar of the Navagrahas and astrology. Ravan knew that his death would be inevitable if Navagrahas changed their positions. So he devised a plan to control them. Born into a Brahmin family, Ravan's father Rishi Vishrava and grandfather Rishi Pulas were great ascetics while his mother belonged to an Asura clan. This influenced Ravan from a young age. Ravan's father had two wives, Dubda from a Brahmin clan who bore Kubera and Kaikasi from Asura clan whose children included Ravan, Kumbhakaran, Shurpanakha and Vibhishan. Ravan grew tired of his mother's resentment towards Kubera who held the prestigious title as the God of Wealth. Along with his brothers Kumbhakaran and Vibhishan, Ravan embarked on a penance. Their efforts pleased Lord Brahma who granted them boons. Ravan, in addition, received knowledge and a boon from Lord Shiva allowing him to master the study of planets and astrology. Understanding the positions of the Navagrahas, Ravan knew that if they remained in specific positions, his death would be averted. Using his strength and the boons he received, Ravan attacked Indra and subdued the Navagrahas, forcing them to align in a way that would ensure his victory over death. His power terrified the Devas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Kinnars and even the planets. Using the sheer knowledge and power that Ravan possessed, the king had defeated all the Devas. Interestingly, after defeating the Devas, Ravan was preparing to welcome his son into the world. On hearing the news of Ravan's son being born, the defeated Devas got extra worried. The Devas thought if Ravan's son is born, the two together will wreak havoc of all kinds on the world. Thus, carving a plan, all the Devas urged the nine planets to shift into astrologically unfavourable positions so that the son of Ravan doesn't possess sufficient powers. However, Ravan was informed about the foul play being played by the Devas and it was then he captured all the nine planets and kept them under his feet, with their head facing downwards. This way, despite Deva's request, the planets couldn't move to an unfavourable position. Then Muni Narada was informed about the whole situation and he decided to help the Devas and the Grahas. There is a thing in astrology called Shani Drishti. It is a popular belief that Shani Drishti is as deadly as his position. Shani is believed to cast an evil eye and this causes deep trouble in one's life. Shani could have used the Shani Drishti to escape from Ravan's clutch. However, as all the planets, including Shani, were lying facing the floor, the Shani's glance couldn't work on Ravan. Thus, Narada Muni with a plan arrived at the palace of Ravan in Lanka. Trying to manipulate Ravan, Narada Muni praised him for his victory over the Grahas and advised him that he should stomp on the chest of the planets and not on their back to further humiliate the Grahas. Ravan, who was unaware of Shani Drishti, lauded the idea and immediately got the planets turned upside down. As Shani was turned, the Shani Drishti fell on Ravan's face and it was the beginning of his hardships. Angered by the act, Ravan got hold of Shani and locked him in a tiny cage that had no openings. So, no one can ever see the face of Shani and thus can't be affected by Shani Drishti. After some years, when Hanuman flew to Lanka as Lord Ram's messenger to Sita, Hanuman heard the voice of Shani weeping from inside the cage. Hanuman broke open the prison and rescued Shani. However, during the act, the Shani Drishti fell upon Hanuman. Shani though was very thankful to Hanuman for rescuing him but also bound by his virtues to infuse hardships of Saree Sati or Shani Dosh in Hanuman's life because he had beheld Shani Drishti and no one can escape from the sufferings that come with it. Hanuman, understanding the same, wanted to know what kind of sufferings will he have to go through. Shani explained that first he will come upon Hanuman's head and this will make him leave his home, wife and sons and go about suffering. Hanuman was alright with Shani residing in his head as he was a brahmachari and was devoid of a family. Shani took refuge in Hanuman's head. Hanuman bound by his duties then continued fighting the demons. According to some local folktales, in the act, he picked up big boulders which he usually used to crush into pieces using his head. Lord Shani was definitely getting hurt by all this and it was then he decided to camp off of Hanuman's head. As Shani got away from Hanuman's head, he blessed him saying that he is the only one who cannot be troubled by Saree Sati or Shani Dosh. Further, Shani also requested Hanuman to make a wish for his brave conduct of saving him from Ravan. Hanuman humbly requested that Shani should not trouble or cast an evil eye on any of his devotees. In this way, Shani was freed from Ravan's captivity. Ravan, like himself, had also made Meghnath a vessel of Rudra's grace. Meghnath was blessed with unmatched bravery and divine weapons including Brahmastra, Narayani Astra and Pashupatastra. He also came to be known as Indrajeet after defeating Indra himself. Though Meghnath had received many boons, Lakshman eventually overcame these blessings and killed him. Ravan realized that despite all his efforts, he could not secure his son's future as the rules of Brahma cannot be altered. No one can escape the laws of the Supreme Father. Meghnath once was the only warrior who possessed all the divine weapons of the world. He had Brahma's weapon, Brahmastra, Narayani's weapon, Narayani Astra and Mahadeva's Pashupatastra. Meghnath was blessed with invincibility while riding his chariot, making him unbeatable in battle. He was trained in warfare by Lord Rudra himself and upon completion of his education was declared a complete warrior, even surpassing Ravan. No one could defeat him. Even Veerabhadra, a fierce warrior, couldn't defeat Meghnath. Additionally, the chastity of his wife, Devi Sulochana, offered him protection. Still, on the third day of the Ramayana war, Indrajeet returned to the battlefield and fought Lakshman one last time with all his skill at both illusion, warfare and sorcery. The arrows of Indrajeet refused to harm Lakshman because Lakshman was the incarnation of Sheshnag. Lakshman slew Indrajeet by beheading him with the Anjali Kastra. It was possible only because of a curse given to Indrajeet by Shesha for marrying his daughter without his permission. Shesha then incarnated as Ram's brother, Lakshman, to kill Indrajeet. Lakshman did not sleep for fourteen years during their exile so that he would be able to serve Ram and Sita efficiently and meet the criteria to kill Indrajeet.