Ganesh's Clever Ruse

As Ravan traveled with the Atmaling in the Pushpak Viman, Lord Vishnu created the illusion of dusk. The pious Ravan stopped at Gokarn to perform his evening prayer. However, he couldn't pray with the Atmaling in his hands. Fortunately, he saw a lad there grazing his sheep.

"Shepherd boy!" exclaimed Ravan. "I am Ravan, the king of Lanka. Will you hold this Atmaling for me while I go to the riverbank and offer my evening prayer?"

"Sorry, I was just going home," replied the young shepherd.

"I promise I won't be long."

"Okay, then."

Ravan handed the Atmaling to the shepherd and warned him, "Do not place the Atmaling on the ground under any circumstances."

"I will do as you say," said the boy, "but only on one condition. If I feel the Atmaling is too heavy, I will call your name thrice. If you aren't back by then, I will put it on the ground."

Ravan agreed and went to the riverbank to pray. The shepherd whispered Ravan's name thrice and placed the Atmaling on the ground. When Ravan returned after his prayer, he saw the Atmaling on the ground. Infuriated, he chased the young shepherd and punched him in the head. The shepherd transformed into Lord Ganesh and disappeared. 

Thus, it turned out that Indra and the other gods had enlisted Ganesh's help to prevent the Atmaling from reaching Lanka. Ravan tried to lift the Atmaling, but it wouldn't budge. Vishnu dispelled the illusion of dusk he had created; it was day again. Ravan realized he had been tricked and had no choice but to return to Lanka empty-handed.