The ocean encircled it on all sides as a very deep moat; its four massive walls were of jewel-studded gold, whose fashioning defied description.

Whoever is pre-ordained by Hari to be the chief of powerful in a particular aeon, lives here, brave, powerful and matchless in might, together with his army.

Great demon warriors had lived there formerly, but all had been slain in battle by the gods. Now by Indra’s commission it was occupied by a garrison of ten million of Kubera’s guards (Yakshas or supernatural attendants on Kubera).

When Ravana chanced to hear of this, he marshalled his army and besieged the fortress. Seeing his vast force of fierce warriors, the Yakshas fled for their lives.

Thereupon the Ten-headed surveyed the whole city; he was much pleased with what he saw, and all his anxiety (about a suitable capital) was gone. Perceiving that the city was beautiful and naturally inaccessible, Ravana made it his capital.

He assigned quarters to all the demons according to their several deserts and made them happy. On one occasion he attacked Kubera and carried away his aerial car Pushpaka as a trophy.

On another occasion in a sportive mood he went and lifted up Mount Kailasa, testing, as it were, the might of his arm, and then returned most jubilant.