Maya or Mayāsura is a figure in Hindu mythology. He is king of the danavas, a demonic
race, and famous for his brilliant architecture. His most important creations include the
Mayasabha (the hall of illusions) for the Pandavas and Tripura (the three cities) for the sons
of Tarakasura. He is also mentioned as the father-in-law of Ravana in the epic
Ramayana. The Uttara Kanda of the epic Ramayana mentions that during his visit to swarga
(heaven), Maya married an apsara (heavenly nymph) named Hema. They had two sons —
Mayavi and Dundubhi — and a daughter Mandodari, who later married Ravana, the rakshasa
ruler of Lanka and the main antagonist of the epic.
Swayamprabha also and apsara was the friend of Hema and entrusted with the responsibility
of safeguarding the creation of Maya, when he was slayed by Lord Indra. On their journey to
discover Sita the monkeys are trapped inside the Mayavi cave and enamoured by the
blossoming trees full of fruits and the fresh water streams. The garden is scented and the
splendour is erotic but if the monkeys drink the water or eat the fruits, they are cursed to
remain in the land forever and they cannot do that because they are committed to Ram to find
Sita. Svayamprabha is impressed by their devotion and aids them to find a way out of the trap
and leads them to Lanka.