Ravana was born to parents by name Brahma and Kaikasi. He had two brothers, with names Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana. (SSB 1977, p. 154)
Kumbhakarna’s nature:
(Waking up Kumbhakarna)
Kumbhakarna was the embodiments of the dull temperaments. (SSB 1996, p. 84)
Kumbhakarna was a Tamasika enemy. A Tamasika person is one who mistakes good to be bad and bad to be good. (SSS Vol.25, p. 184)
Kumbhakarna (was) the embodiment of the Tamasika, the dull, the self-destructive, (and) the lethargic traits (SSS Vol.19, p. 70) Kumbhakarna, spent his entire life eating and sleeping. (SSS Vol.31, p. 277)
Kumbhakarna, who was very powerful. (SS Nov 98 , p. 289)
The three boons granted by Brahma:
Once Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana performed a severe penance to invoke the presence of Brahma. Brahma appeared before them and asked them what they wanted. He said he would grant them whatever boon they wanted. Kumbhakarna wanted to ask that he should be never at anyone s mercy—nirdhaya (A heart bereft of compassion, that is, Nirdhaya (devoid of compassion). (SSB 1996, p. 98)) But by a slip of the tongue he asked for nidhra (sleep) (He asked for nidhra (the power to sleep), instead of nigraha (the power to slaughter)! (SSS Vol.4, p. 173) Brahma declared: "So be it." (SSS Vol.29, p. 146)
But, since the austerity did not win for them purity and cleanliness, virtue and humility, they continued as ever, monsters of violence and wickedness. They had no trace of the Sattvika (poised state) in their make-up. They had the Grace of God in such a large measure; God appeared, inquired and granted. But, they behaved even worse than before! They denied by their lives the Grace they won. (SSS Vol. 6, p. 112)
Then onward, Kumbhakarna became a great sleeper. A person devoid of compassion is not human (manava), but a demon (dhanava). (SSB 1996, p. 74)
We should not be devoid of compassion at any time. It is said:
It is by dint of devotion that one should find fulfilment in life
Whether he is a prince or a pauper, a fool or a scholar,
It is by dint of devotion that he should find fulfilment.
Whether he performs penance holding his nose,
Whether he dons ochre robe or holds his breath,
Whether he is adorned by ornaments and necklaces,
It is by dint of devotion that he would find fulfilment. (SSB 1996, p. 74)