Everyone is aware of Ravana who was the demon-king from Lanka. Everyone has celebrated Dussehra and Diwali throughout our lives. We know that Ravana had been executed in the hands of Lord Rama during the epic story of Ramayana. Ravana is portrayed as a villain suspected of abducting Sita and brought her to Lanka which resulted in Lord Rama murdering Raavan. There are a lot of things you did not have any idea about Raavan. Let’s take a look who is ravan..
Ravana – The Brahmasura
Ravana was in fact half-brahmin and half-demon. In the family side of the family, Ravan’s father was Vishwashrava whom Sage Pulastya or Prajapati Pulastya (one of Lord Brahma’s ten’mind-born’ sons). The maternal side the mother of his was Kaikasi who was a member of the clan of demons. Vishwashrava (also called Vishrava) was married to two women two wives namely Varavarnini as well as Kaikasi. The first child he had was Kubera (the god of wealth and Ravan’s stepbrother) Kaikasi also gave him four children, including – Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Shurpanakha and Vibhisha.
It is believed there was a time when Asura Sumali as well as his spouse Tataka and Tataka, who sought to boost their power through alliances with rishis and monarchs They decided that their daughter Kaikasi was the perfect match for Vishwashrava and they coordinated her meeting to the Rishi. He became infatuated with her and had a son named Ravan. Thus, it is believed Ravan was a Brahmasura. Ravan is a Brahmasura.
The wife of Ravana had a role to play in his death
Ravan was able to decide to carry out an incredibly strong Yagya in the midst of Rama’s monkey army was battling Ravan’s army his, and he was the only living person. This Yagya could have allowed him to win the battle, but it was imperative to keep him in place and not leave his place. Rama was been sent Angad (Bali’s Son) along with his army of monkeys to displease Ravan and destroy the Yagya. They did not succeed in provoking Ravan.
As a last resort, Angad dragged Mandodari (Ravan’s wife) however Ravan was unable to move. Mandodari was furious at Ravan and scolded him by reminding him of how Rama is fighting to bring his wife back however, Ravan was unable to get up to help his wife. The incident forced him to move and the Yagya was left in limbo.
What happened to make Ravana be the “King” of Lanka?
Vishwashrava (Ravan’s father) was a brilliant scholar, who gained great abilities through Tapasya (meditation). Vishwakarma was the one who created the city of ancient Lanka in honor of Lord Shiva who was Vishwashrava later sought in the form of Dakshina to Lord Shiva. Lanka was acquired by Kubera who was the chief of Lanka and also Ravan’s stepbrother.
Ravan as well as his son Kumbhkaran did penance, received various blessings from Brahma with supernatural powers, and then fought Kuber to take over the city of gold in Lanka.
How Ravana got his 10-heads
Ravan was a fervent worshipper of Lord Shiva. After his education, Ravan went through a huge penance along the banks of the river Narmada to satisfy Lord Shiva. To please Lord Shiva, Ravan axed his head off. However it would increase in size. It happened for 10 times, and finally delighted Shiva. Shiva gave Ravan all the heads sacrificed. These 10 heads symbolized the four Shastras and 6 Vedas Ravan was proficient in.
How did Ravana earned his name?
Ravan wasn’t named that way from the time of his birth. His real name was Dashanana or Dashagriva meaning a demon that has 10 heads. After he took over Lanka over Kubera, Ravan went to meet Lord Shiva in Kailash in Kailash, but was barred from being allowed in by Shiva’s gatekeeper Nandi. Ravan laughed at him out of anger, which made Nandi angry. Nandi cursed him, saying that Lanka was going to be destroyed by the mighty Monkey (Wow!). In the meantime, Shiva was meditating at Kailash.
In order to prove his love for the Lord Shiva, Ravan tried to raise Kailash to anger Shiva. Shiva placed his toe on the hill to show his anger and Ravan’s hands were crushed by the mountain. According to legend, Ravan unleashes the most agonizing scream. A cry so painful that it literally shakes the earth. In the pain, in order to bring Shiva down and to please him, Ravan plucked out his own nerves and performed a Tandav. That’s when Ravan created the Shiva-Tandava Stotram.
Shiva was eventually content and content, let go of Ravan and presented him with an axe. He also named him ‘Ravana”, which translates to “The one with the terrifying roar” because his scream in agony rocked the world.
How Ravana has helped Rama
It is believed that Ravan was half-brahmin and half-demon. As Ram’s army worked on the bridge that would connect them to Lanka the Lord Shiva’s blessing before they could go ahead and for this they had erected the Yagya (worship and offering). We all are aware that the most fervent worshipper of Lord Shiva across the whole zone was Ravan. Ravan as a half-brahmin was the best qualified person to do the Yagya. You know what? He did.
He actually came and did the Yagya. He even offered Rama the blessing. Through the rituals of Purohit Rama, Lord Rama and his brigade of monkeys were capable of building the bridge “Rama Sethu” and travel to Lanka.
What is the reason Ravana never even touched Sita
Ravana is considered to be a dominant character. According to some, he often felt attracted to women which is why he would be willing to go to the extreme to find that woman of his dreams. Because of his insecurities towards women, he was a snob to Rambha Nalakuera, who was Nalakuera’s (Kuber’s son) wife. Nalakuera cursed him saying that it was forbidden to be touched by any woman without her permission If he attempted to do so then, his head would break to three fragments. This is why Ravan never hurt Sita or made her marry him.
Ravana’s Boon from Lord Brahma
After many years of penance, Ravan was seeking the blessing of immortality by Lord Brahma. Brahma was politely rebuffed, but he stated that Ravan’s destiny would be centered around his navel. In the 10th and 10th days of the war that raged between Ravan as well as Rama, Vibhishana (his brother) was telling Rama to shoot an arrow on Ravan’s navel. So, killing the demon-king.
Ravan was also granted an omen from the Lord Brahma and had requested that there was no god, demon, Kinnar and Gandharva could ever harm him. Whatever you want to call him, egoistic or whatever the case may be, he didn’t speak of humans. Also, Rama was a man who eventually killed him. He was also the seventh version of Vishnu.
Ravana was aware of his own death
Ravana was believed to kill the King Anaranya who was part of the Ikshawku Dynasty, which Lord Rama is also a part of. As the King Anaranya was dying when he died, Ravana cursed Ravana. He told him his son King Dashartha will one day end his life. Guess what was the result? Just like this!
The the most formidable creatures (or asuras) believed their destiny and were sent into the world to fulfill an important role. Ravana evidently knew it was his destiny to be a victim the avatars of Vishnu (Rama is the seventh avatar). It would also help him achieve moksha as well as assist him in letting go of his demon-like form.
Ravana – The Astrology Expert
Ravana was believed to be the greatest master of Vedas and an authority in Astrology. In the time his child Maghanada (better named Indrajit as Meghanada) was due to be born from Mandodari’s birth, Ravana had instructed all planets as well as the sun (I am not sure how this functions) that they should be placed in their correct position to allow Meghanada to live forever. However, Saturn or Shani Dev did not agree to this. Ravana became angry with him and slapped him with a mace and even slapped him with a hammer.
The Pushpaka Vimana
Everyone knows that Ravana had taken Sita in a flying car (popularly called”the Pushpaka Vimana). He was not just usurping the Kuber’s (his twin brother) Kingdom of Lanka but also took over his aircraft of gold. There is a belief that Vimana could come in many forms and move in a speed that was mind-blowing.
Ravana’s Empire
It was spread across Angadweepa, Shankhadweepa, Andhralaya, Varahdweepa, Yavadweepa, Kushadweepa, Malayadweepa (now Malasia) as well as Balidweepa (Now Bali).
Ravana Was the Most Badass Asura ever. Time
It is recognized it is well-known that Ravana was a formidable warrior, as well as an educated scholar. He was also an excellent practicer of the art of Statecraft. He was a superb astrologer in his day and also wrote the ‘Ravan Sanhita’ which is among the most famous scriptures of Astrology. He also was aware of some esoteric practices that were like black magic.
Ravana had mastery over 64 kinds of knowledge (or types of arts). From the techniques that were taught by Kshatriyas and the sacred texts that were written by Brahmans, he had all. Actually, Rama had once addressed Ravana as a “Maha Brahman in conversation. Ravana was also an expert in tantra vidya, and was able to create an illusion of thought while fighting his foes. He was considered to be one of the best living demons who had the ability to discern.
In the time that Lord Rama was killed by Ravana and Ravana was dying, Rama made his brother Lakshana to learn about diplomacy and statecraft from dying Ravana. In addition, Ravana is said for having instructed Lakshmana everything he could prior to passing away.
The meaning behind Ravana’s ten Heads
It has been said in the mythology that Ravana was a king with 10 heads. The belief is that the heads symbolize bad traits such as The Cruelty (Amanavta), Lust (Kama Vasana), Ego (Ahankara) as well as anger (Krodha) as well as Injustice (Anyaaya) and Attachment (Moha) and Selfishness (Swartha) and Greed (Lobha) and Jealousy (Matsara) And Over-pride(Mada). Thus, in a way burning the effigy of Ravana each Dussehra is a symbolic symbol of purification of the soul from the sins of our past.
