According to Hindu mythology Ravana was born to a great sage Maharishi Vishrava and his wife, princess Kaikasi. Kaikasi was the daughter of a powerful demon Sumali and his beautiful wife Ketumati who had taken refuge in the underworld. It is said that one day Sumali witnessed Kubera on his Pushpak Vimana in all his glory and had an idea. He inspired his beautiful daughter Kaikasi to seduce Maharishi Vishrava, and become his consort, so that her children would be as powerful as their father because Vishvara is considered a descendant of Lord Brahma. Sumali was planning to win the golden Lanka for the rakhasas. Kaikasi did what her father said. Rishi Vishrava fell for her beauty and charm and married her and through him conceived four children with him. Three sons, Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and daughter Surpanakha.
Though born to demons, Kaikesi was a kind and wise woman. She supported her daughter-in-law Mandodri in her protests with Ravan but Ravan paid no heed to either. According to the Sundara Kanda of the Krittibasi Ramayana, a Bengali version Ramayana narrates that, witnessing the destruction of Lanka by Lord Hanuman, Kaikasi (mentioned as Nikasha) pleads with Vibhishana, to drill sense into his brother Ravana aware that Sita’s captivity will destroy Lanka and spell doom for the demons/ rakshasas.
To be continued