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{{short description|Mythological character in the Ramayana}}
{{Short description|Primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana}}
{{Redirect-several|Ravan}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = File:Ravana British Museum.jpg
| alt = Ravana, South India, 18th century CE
| caption = Ravana, South India, 18th century CE
| successor = [[Vibhishana]] (King of Lanka)
| predecessor = [[Kubera]] (King of Lanka)
| siblings = [[Kumbhakarna]]<br>[[Vibhishana]]<br>[[Shurpanakha]] <br> half-brother - [[Kubera]]<br>[[Kumbhini]]
| father = [[Vishrava]]
| mother = [[Kaikasi]]
| spouse = {{unbulleted list||[[Mandodari]]|[[Dhanyamalini]]}} and [[Chitrangada]]
| children = [[Indrajit]] and [[Akshayakumara]] (by Mandodari)<br/>[[Narantaka-Devantaka|Narantaka]], [[Narantaka-Devantaka|Devantaka]], [[Atikaya]] and [[Trishira]] (by Dhanyamalini)<br/> [[Veerbahu]] (by Chitrangada)
[[Mahiravana]](spiritual sons)
| abode = [[Lanka]]
| mount = [[Pushpaka Vimana]]
| affiliation = [[Lanka]], [[Rakshasa]]
| texts = [[Ramayana]] and [[Ramayana versions|its versions]]
| Devanagari = रावण
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Rāvaṇa
<!-- Infobox does not support the following parameter:| Tamil = ராவணன் -->}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = hindu
| other_names = இராவணன் <br />''Dashagriva'' or ''Ruwin'' or ''Dashakantha'' (Ten-headed)
| image = Ravana British Museum.jpg
| alt = Ruwin
| caption = Statue of Ravana from 18th century CE
| god_of = King of [[Lanka]]
| father = [[Vishrava]]
| mother = [[Kaikesi]]
| spouse = [[Mandodari]], Dhanyamalini
| children = [[Indrajit]]<br />[[Atikaya]]<br />[[Akshayakumara]]<br />[[Narantaka-Devantaka|Narantaka]]<br />[[Narantaka-Devantaka|Devantaka]]<br />[[Trishira]]<br />[[Prahasta]]
}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Ravana''' is a [[Rakshasa|demon]]-king<ref name="Henry_p.3">Justin W. Henry, ''Ravana's Kingdom: The Ramayana and Sri Lankan History from Below'', Oxford University Press, p.3</ref><ref name="Brown"/> of the island of [[Lanka]] and the chief antagonist in the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Wheeler, James Talboys |year=1869 |title=The History of India from the Earliest Ages |volume=II The Rámáyana and the Vedic period |publisher=N.&nbsp;Trubner & Co. |page=281 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzAQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA281}}</ref><ref name="Brown">{{cite book |author=Brown, Nathan Robert |title=The Mythology of Supernatural: The signs and symbols behind the popular TV show |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lR_UXIkBfgC&q=ravana+rakshasa&pg=PT43 |date=2 August 2011 |publisher=Berkley Boulevard books, Newwork |isbn=9781101517529 |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref> In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana is described as the eldest son of sage [[Vishrava]] and [[Kaikesi|Kaikasi]]. He abducted [[Rama]]'s wife, [[Sita]], and took her to his kingdom of [[Lanka]], where he held her in the [[Ashok Vatika|Ashoka Vatika]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunderkand explanation |website=sunderkandsatsangsamuh.org |url=http://www.sunderkandsatsangsamuh.org/Sunderkand_Explanation.pdf |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718071828/http://www.sunderkandsatsangsamuh.org/Sunderkand_Explanation.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rama, with the support of [[vanara]] King [[Sugriva]] and his army of varanasi, launched a rescue operation for Sita against Ravana in Lanka. Ravana was subsequently slain, and Rama rescued his beloved wife Sita.<ref>{{cite web |author=Das, Subhamoy |title=The Ramayana |quote=Summary by Stephen Knapp |website=Learn Religions |url=https://www.learnreligions.com/the-ramayana-summary-by-stephen-knapp-4092441 |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Ravana |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ravana |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
'''Ravana''' ([[IAST]]: Rāvaṇa; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɑː|v|ə|n|ə}};<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ravana "Ravana"]. ''[[Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary]]''.</ref>) is described in the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]'' as the [[rakshasa|demon]] king of Lanka.{{efn|Identified by many with modern-day [[Sri Lanka]]}}<ref name="Mani">{{cite book|title=Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1975|isbn=978-0-8426-0822-0|location=Delhi|page=354|author=Mani, Vettam|authorlink=Vettam Mani}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions|first=|date=1999|publisher=Merriam-Webster|isbn=9780877790440|page=909|language=en}}</ref>

Ravana is described as having been as a follower of [[Shiva]], a great scholar, a capable ruler and a maestro of the [[Veena]], but someone who wished to overpower the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]]. His ten heads represent his knowledge of the six [[shastra]]s and the four [[Vedas]]. In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana kidnaps [[Rama]]'s wife [[Sita]] to exact vengeance on Rama and his brother [[Lakshmana]] for having cut off the nose of his sister [[Shurpanakha]].


Ravana is worshiped by Hindus of [[Bisrakh]], who claim their town to be his birthplace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/only-the-elderly-come-to-mourn-ravana-in-birthplace-bisrakh/|title=Only the elderly come to mourn Ravana in 'birthplace' Bisrakh|date=2014-10-04|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ravana-in-noida-a-book-on-greater-noida/story-2AOHJ8xvUMzA1PwEi3fv6N.html|title=Ravana in Noida: A book on Greater Noida|date=2014-03-15|website=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Bisrakh-seeks-funds-for-Ravan-temple/articleshow/44269673.cms|title=Bisrakh seeks funds for Ravan temple - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref> He is considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are seen associated with Shiva at some places. He also appears in Buddhist [[Mahayana]] text ''[[Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra]]'', and [[Ravana#Buddhist versions|Buddhist Ramayanas]] and Jatakas, as well as in [[Rama in Jainism|Jain Ramayanas]].
Ravana was well-versed in the six [[shastra]]s and the four [[Vedas]], including the [[Shiva Tandava Stotra]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Vālmīki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWFEAQAAQBAJ&q=ramayan+ramesh+menon |title=The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic |last2=Menon |first2=Ramesh |date=2004-05-26 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-86547-695-0 |language=en}}</ref> Ravana is also considered to be the most revered devotee of [[Shiva]]. Images of Ravana are often seen associated with Shiva at temples. He also appears in the Buddhist [[Mahayana]] text [[Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra]], in Buddhist [[Jataka tales|Jatakas]], as well as in [[Rama in Jainism|Jain Ramayanas]]. In [[Hindu scriptures|Vaishnava scriptures]], he is depicted as one of [[Vishnu]]'s cursed doorkeepers.<ref name=Pankaj-2019-07-31-Stsmn/>


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
[[File:Ravanan - King of Lanka.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|Statue of Ravana at [[Koneswaram Temple|Koneswaram Hindu Temple]], [[Sri Lanka]].]]
[[File:Ravanan - King of Lanka.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|Statue of Ravana at [[Koneswaram Temple|Koneswaram Hindu Temple]], [[Sri Lanka]]]]
The word ''Rāvaṇa'' ([[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]]: රාවණ /[[Tamil language|Tamil]]:இராவணன்/[[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: रावण) means ''roaring'' opposite of [[Vaiśravaṇa]] meaning "hear distinctly" (passive).<ref name="Aiyangar Narayan 1909 p.413">Aiyangar Narayan (1909) "Essays On Indo-Aryan Mythology-Vol.", p.413</ref><ref name="sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de">[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw1026-vaivarNika.jpg MW Sanskrit Digital Dictionary p. 1026]</ref> Both ''Ravana'' and ''Vaiśravaṇa'', who is popularly known as [[Kubera]], are considered to be [[patronymic]]s derived as ''sons of [[Vishrava]]''.<ref name="Aiyangar Narayan 1909 p.413"/><ref name="sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de"/><ref>[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=YJGRP-otpdIC&pg=PA530 The Ramayana Of Valmiki (Vol.2) Ayodhyakanda An Epic Of Ancient India]</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hopkins |first=Edward Washburn|authorlink=Edward Washburn Hopkins|title=Epic mythology |url=https://archive.org/stream/epicmythology00hopkuoft#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Kubera|year=1915|publisher=Strassburg K.J. Trübner|page = 142}}</ref>
The word Rāvaṇa ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: रावण) means "Roaring" (active), the opposite of [[Vaiśravaṇa]] which means to "hear distinctly" (passive).<ref name="Aiyangar Narayan 1909 p.413">Aiyangar Narayan (1909) "Essays On Indo-Aryan Mythology-Vol.", p.413</ref><ref name="sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de">{{Cite web |url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw1026-vaivarNika.jpg |title=Cologne Scan |website=sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref> Both Ravana and Vaiśravaṇa, who is commonly known as [[Kubera]], are considered to be [[patronymic]]s derived from "sons of [[Vishrava]]".<ref name="Aiyangar Narayan 1909 p.413"/><ref name="sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de"/><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Ayodhyākāṇḍa |date=25 April 2007 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=9788120831636 |page=30 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YJGRP-otpdIC&pg=PA530 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hopkins |first=Edward Washburn |author-link=Edward Washburn Hopkins |year=1915 |title=Epic Mythology |place=Strassburg, DE |publisher=K.J. Trübner |page = 142 |url=https://archive.org/stream/epicmythology00hopkuoft#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Kubera}}</ref>


"Rāvana" was a title taken on later by Dashananda, and it means "screamer" in Sanskrit (Ravana would sing hymns).<ref>''Ramayana'' By William Buck, Barend A. van Nooten, Shirley Triest</ref> Further, "roravana" is Sanskrit for "''loud roaring.''" In Abhinava Gupta's Krama Shaiva scripture, "''yāsām rāvanam''" is used as an expression to mean people who are truly aware in terms of the materialism of their environment.
Ravana was a title later taken on by Dashānana, and it means "the one with ten (dasha) faces (anana)". Further, roravana is Sanskrit for "loud roaring." In Abhinava Gupta's Krama Shaiva scripture, yāsām rāvanam is used as an expression to mean people who are truly aware of the materialism of their environment.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}


Ravana has many other popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Dasis Sakvithi Maha Ravana, Dashaanan, Ravula, Lankapati, Lankeshwar, Lankeshwaran, Ravanasura and Ravanaeshwaran.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Names of Ravana |website=LifeStalker |date=6 October 2014 |url=http://www.lifestalker.com/2014/10/the-10-names-of-ravana.html |access-date=2021-05-18 |language=en}}</ref>
According to [[F. E. Pargiter]] the word may originally have been a Sanskritisation of ''Iraivan'', the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] name for a lord or king.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/?id=lr9pFQPwhXYC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=iraivan+ravana#v=onepage&q=iraivan%20ravana&f=false | title=Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya| isbn=9788126901692| last1=Roy| first1=Janmajit| year=2002}}</ref>

Ravana has many other popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Dasis Sakvithi Maha Ravana, Dashaanan, Ravula, Lankeshwar, Lankeshwaran, Ravanasura, Ravanaeshwaran, and Eela Vendhar.{{cn|date=February 2019}}


== Iconography ==
== Iconography ==
Ravana is depicted and described as having ten heads, although he is sometimes shown with only nine heads since he cut one off to convince Shiva.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-26 |title=When Ravana tore his head and a hand to apologize to Lord Shiva |url=https://www.mensxp.com/special-features/today/28124-when-ravana-tore-his-head-and-a-hand-to-apologize-to-lord-shiva.html |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.mensxp.com |language=en-IN}}</ref> He is described as a devout follower of Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler, and a maestro of the [[Veena]]. Ravana is also depicted as the author of the ''Ravana Samhita'', a book on [[Hindu astrology]], and the ''Arka Prakasham'', a book on [[Siddha medicine]] and treatment. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of [[Siddha]] and [[political science]]. In some later versions, he is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly thanks to a celestial boon from [[Brahma]]. In the War with Lord Rama, Ravana was killed by a powerful Brahma's weapon shot by Rama which was gifted to Rama by Sage Agstya.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ramayana |author=[[Valmiki]]}} {{cite book |title=[[Ramcharitmanas]] |author=[[Tulsidas]] |editor1=Vibhishana, Lanka Kanda |editor2=Samvaad, Rama }}</ref>{{page needed|date=July 2020}}
[[File:Veena.png|thumbnail|right|Ravana is thought to be a maestro of the [[veena]]]]
Ravana is depicted and described as having ten heads, although sometimes he is shown with only nine heads because he has sacrificed a head to convince Shiva.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} He is described as a devout follower of Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler and a maestro of the Veena (pronounced veh-nah; a chordophone instrument). Ravana is also depicted as the author of the ''Ravana Samhita'', a book on [[Hindu astrology]], and the ''Arka Prakasham'', a book on [[Siddha medicine]] and treatment. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of [[Siddha]] and [[political science]]. He is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly, thanks to a celestial boon by [[Brahma]].<ref>''Ramayana'' By [[Valmiki]]; [[Ramcharitmas]] by Tulsidasa (Lanka Kanda Vibhishana & Rama Samvaad)</ref>{{Page needed|date=March 2016}}


== Depiction in the ''Ramayana'' ==
== Life and legends ==
=== Birth ===
=== Birth ===
[[File:SAMA Kubera 1.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Kubera]] Ravana's Half-Brother, Lord of Wealth and the North-direction]]
[[File:Ravi Varma-Ravana Sita Jathayu.jpg|thumb|The abduction of Sita]]
Ravana was born to the [[Brahmin]] sage [[Vishrava]] and the [[Rakshasa]] princess [[Kaikesi|Kaikasi]] in [[Treta Yuga]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VoXEQAAQBAJ&dq=vishrava+brahmin&pg=PT19 | title=The Brahmin | isbn=978-93-5776-137-6 | last1=Etteth | first1=Ravi Shankar | date=4 March 2024 | publisher=Westland }}</ref> Villagers from [[Bisrakh]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] claim that Bisrakh was named after Vishrava, and that Ravana was born there.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Dutta, Prabhash K. |date=10 October 2016 |title=Did you know? Ravana was born in Greater Noida West |magazine=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ravana-greater-noida-demon-king-delhi-ncr-bishrakh-dussehra-345906-2016-10-10 |access-date=2 July 2020 |lang=en}}</ref>
[[File:Brahma on hamsa.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Brahma]]-Ravana's great grand father.]]
[[File:Rameshvaram lingam.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Vibhishana]] (right-brother of Ravana), SriRama and Sita worship god [[Shiva]] at [[Rameshwaram]]; looks on with Lakshmana, Tumburu and Narada]]
Ravana was born to great sage [[Vishrava]] (or Vesamuni), and his wife, the [[daitya]] princess [[Kaikesi|Kaikeshi]]. People of [[Bisrakh]] village in [[Uttar Pradesh]] claim that Bisrakh was named after Vishrava, and Ravana was born there. But according to [[Hela (people)|Hela]] historical sources and folklore, Ravana was born in Lanka, where later becomes its king.


Ravana's grandfather on his father's side, the sage [[Pulastya]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|date=2018|title=Woven Threads of the Rāmāyaṇa The Early Āḻvārs on Brahmā and Rāvaṇa|url=https://www.academia.edu/37599459/Woven_Threads_of_the_R%C4%81m%C4%81ya%E1%B9%87a_The_Early_%C4%80%E1%B8%BBv%C4%81rs_on_Brahm%C4%81_and_R%C4%81va%E1%B9%87a|journal=Romanian Journal of Indian Studies|volume=2|pages=9–45}}</ref> was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of [[Brahma]] and one of the [[Saptarishi]] (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first [[Manvantara]] (age of [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]]). His grandfather on his mother's side, [[Sumali]] (or Sumalaya), king of the Raksasas, was the son of Sukesha. Sukesha's parents were King Vidyutkesa, who had married Salakantankata (daughter of Sandhya), who had abandoned Sukesha, but by the grace of Shiva he survived. Sumali had wished her to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana and his siblings were born to the couple. They completed their education from their father, with Ravana being a great scholar of the Vedas. The brothers performed penances on Mt Gokarna for 11,000 years and won boons from Brahma. Ravana was blessed with a boon that would make him invincible to the creation of Brahma, except for humans. He also received weapons, chariot as well as the ability to shapeshift from Brahma. Ravana later usurped Lanka from his half-brother Kubera and became the King of Lanka. He appointed Shukracharya as his priest and learnt the [[Arthashastra]] (Science of Politics) from him. Rama once addressed Ravana as a "Maha Brahman" ("Great Brahman" in the context of his education).
Ravana's paternal grandfather, the sage [[Pulastya]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|year=2018|title=Woven Threads of the Rāmāyaṇa The Early Āḻvārs on Brahmā and Rāvaṇa|url=https://www.academia.edu/37599459|journal=Romanian Journal of Indian Studies|volume=2|pages=9–45}}</ref> was one of the ten [[Prajapati]]s, or mind-born sons of [[Brahma]], and one of the [[Saptarishi]] (seven great sages) in the first [[Manvantara]] (age of [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]]). His maternal grandfather was [[Sumali]] (or Sumalaya), the king of the Rakshasas and the son of Sukesha. Sumali had ten sons and four daughters. Sumali wished for Kaikasi to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikasi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana and his siblings were born to the couple and they completed their education from their father, with Ravana being a great scholar of the Vedas.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


=== Boon from Brahma ===
After worshiping Shiva on the banks of the Narmada, in the more central Yadu region, Ravana was captured and held under the control of king [[Kartavirya Arjuna]], one of the greatest Yadu kings. It is clear from the references in the ''Ramayana'' that Ravana was no commoner among the Humans or Asuras, but a great chanter of the Sama Veda.
Ravana and his two brothers, [[Kumbhakarna]] and [[Vibhishana]], performed penance on Mount Gokarna for 10,000 years and won boons from Brahma. Ravana was blessed with a boon that would make him invincible to all the creations of Brahma, except for humans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manglik |first=Reshu |date=29 September 2017 |title=Happy Dussehra 2017: 11&nbsp;important facts to know about Ravana, primary antagonist of epic Ramayana |website=indiatvnews.com |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/books-culture-dussehra-2017-king-ravana-important-facts-from-ramayana-403950 |access-date=14 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He also received weapons, a chariot, as well as the ability to shapeshift from Brahma.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} According to the ''Ramayana'', demigods approached Brahma since Ravana was causing harm on Earth. Lord Vishnu appeared and gave blessings that he will incarnate as a human (Rama) and kill Ravana since his invincibility boon did not include humans.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rosen |first=Steven |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/70775665 |title=Essential Hinduism |date=2006 |publisher=Praeger |isbn=0-275-99006-0 |location=Westport, Conn. |pages=68–69 |oclc=70775665}}</ref>


=== Family ===
=== Devotee of Shiva ===
{{See also|Ravananugraha}}
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Reliëf op de aan Brahma gewijde tempel op de Candi Lara Jonggrang oftewel het Prambanan tempelcomplex TMnr 10016175.jpg|thumb|right|Queen [[Mandodari]] and the women of Lanka mourning the death of Ravana. Bas-relief of 9th century [[Prambanan]] temple, Java, Indonesia]]
[[File:RavanKailashAndolan.jpg|left|thumb|255x255px|Ravananugraha theme]]
Ravana's family are hardly mentioned outside the ''Ramayana'', which is viewed by some as being only the point of view of Rama devotees. According to that:
One of the most popular images of Shiva is called "Ravananugraha", which was popular in the [[Gupta era]]. It depicts Ravana beneath [[Mount Kailash]] playing a veena made out of his head and hands, and strings made out of his tendons, while Shiva and Parvati sit on top of the mountain.<ref name="kala">Kala pp. 38–42</ref>{{full citation needed|date=July 2022|reason=no such ref "Kala"}} According to scriptures, Ravana once tried to lift Mount Kailash, but Shiva pushed the mountain into place and trapped Ravana beneath it. For a thousand years, the imprisoned Ravana sang [[Shiva Tandava Stotra]], a hymn in praise of Shiva, who finally blessed him and granted him an invincible sword and a powerful [[linga]] (Shiva's iconic symbol, Atmalinga) to worship. But this incident has little to no evidence in Valmiki Ramayana.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rathore, Vinod |date=29 June 2020 |title=Know the unique story of Ravana's devotion to Shiva |website=News Track |url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/ravan-shiv-bhakti-ravan-and-shiv-katha-hindi-me-sc91-nu612-ta272-1103191-1.html |access-date=14 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="kala"/>


{{clear left}}
*Ravana's grandfather was [[Malyavan]], who was against the war with Rama and Lakshmana.
*Ravana's parents were [[Vishrava]] (son of [[Pulastya]]) and [[Kaikesi]] (daughter of [[Sumali]] and [[Thataka]]). Kaikesi had two brothers [[Maricha]] and [[Subahu]] which would effectively make them Ravana's uncles.
*Ravana had six brothers and two sisters:


=== Family ===
# [[Kuberan]] – the King of North direction and the Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an older half-brother of Ravana: they were born to the same father by different mothers.
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Reliëf op de aan Brahma gewijde tempel op de Candi Lara Jonggrang oftewel het Prambanan tempelcomplex TMnr 10016175.jpg|thumb|right|Queen [[Mandodari]] and the women of Lanka mourning the death of Ravana. Bas-relief of 9th century [[Prambanan]] Temple, Java, Indonesia]]Ravana's parents were the sage [[Vishrava]] (son of [[Pulastya]]) and [[List of characters in Ramayana#Kaikashi|Kaikesi]] (daughter of [[Sumali]] and [[Ketumati (Ramayana)|Ketumati]]). Ravana had seventeen maternal uncles and three maternal aunts. [[List of characters in Ramayana#Dhumraksha|Dhumraksha]], [[Prahastha]], [[Akampana]], [[Vajramushti]], [[Suparshwa]] and [[Virupaksha]], a few of his maternal uncles, were generals in the Lanka army. [[Kaikesi]]'s father, [[Sumali]] and uncle, [[Malyavan]] were instrumental in making Ravana the king of Lanka by advising him to receive boons from Brahma, defeat Kubera, and establish [[rakshasa]] rule in the [[Trailokya|three worlds]].<ref name="Mittal-2006-p200">{{cite book |last=Mittal |first=J.P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b7gOBW8oDFgC&pg=PA200 |title=History of Ancient India (a new version: From 7300&nbsp;BC to 4250&nbsp;BC |date=2006 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0615-4 |page=200 |language=en}}</ref>
# [[Vibhishana]] – A follower of Rama and one of the most important characters in the ''Ramayana''. As a minister and brother of Ravana, he spoke the truth without fear and advised Ravana to return the kidnapped Sita and uphold [[Dharma]]. Ravana not only rejected this sane advice, but also banished him from his kingdom. Vibhishana sought protection from Rama, which was granted without hesitation.
# [[Kumbhakarna]] – One of the most jovial [[demon]]s in Hindu history. When offered a boon by [[Brahma]], he was tricked into asking for eternal sleep. A horrified Ravana, out of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the power of the boon by making Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and being awake for the rest six months of a year (in some versions, he is awake for one day out of the year). During the war with Rama, Kumbhakarna was untimely awakened from his sleep. He tried to persuade Ravana to open negotiations with Rama and return Sita to him. But he too failed to mend the ways of Ravana. However, bound by a brother's duty, he fought on the side of Ravana and was killed in the battlefield. Before dying he met Vibhishana and blessed him for following the path of righteousness.
# [[Khara (Ramayana)|Kharan]] – King of Janasthan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Nasik/histroy_hindus.html#1 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809040052/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Nasik/histroy_hindus.html#1|archive-date=2011-08-09|title=History Hindus}}</ref> He protected the northern kingdom of Lanka in the mainland and his kingdom bordered with the [[Kosala]] Kingdom, the kingdom of Rama. He was well known for his superior skills in warfare. He was killed by Rama.
# [[Dushana]] – Viceroy of Janasthan.
# [[Ahiravan]] – King of the [[Underworld]] ruled by the rakshasas by Ravana and the demon king Maya.
# [[Kumbhini]] – Older sister of Ravana and the wife of the demon [[Madhu-Kaitabha|Madhu]], King of [[Madurai|Mathura]], she was the mother of Lavanasura. She was renowned for her beauty and later retired to the sea for penance.
# [[Shurpanakha]] – The sister of Ravana. She was the ultimate root of the kidnapping of Sita. She was the one who instigated her brothers to wage a war against Rama.
*Ravana was married to [[Mandodari]], the daughter of the celestial architect [[Mayasura|Maya]], Dhanyamalini, and a third wife. He had seven sons from his three wives:{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}


Ravana's granduncle was [[Malyavan]], who opposed the war with Rama and Lakshmana. He also had another granduncle named Mali who was killed by [[Vishnu]].<ref name="Mittal-2006-p200" />
# [[Indrajit|Meghnaad]] (''also known as '''Indrajit''' because he defeated Indra''), the most powerful son.
# [[Atikaya]]
# [[Akshayakumara]]
# [[Narantaka]]
# [[Devantaka]]
# [[Trishira]]
# [[Prahastha]]


Ravana had 2 full brothers, 8 half brothers, 1 full sister and 3 half sisters.
*In the [[Bengali language|Bengali]] ballad, [[Meghnad Bodh Kavya]] by [[Michael Madhusudan Dutt]], ''Beerbahu'' is said to be Ravana's son.


Ravana had three wives, [[Mandodari]], the daughter of the celestial architect [[Mayasura|Maya]], Dhanyamalini, and a third wife. His sons from his three wives were [[Indrajit|Meghanada]], [[Atikaya]], [[Akshayakumara]], [[Narantaka]], [[Devantaka]] and [[Trishira]].
=== Devotee of Shiva ===
{{see also|Ravananugraha}}
[[File:RavanKailashAndolan.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Ravananugraha theme.]]


=== Priestly ministers ===
=== Priestly ministers ===
Ravana is said in some version to have had [[Shukra|Shukra Acharya]], the priest of the Asuras, as his minister, and in some versions [[Brihaspati]], the priest of the Devas.
In some accounts, Ravana is said to have had [[Shukracharya]], the priest of the Asuras, as his minister, and in other accounts, [[Brihaspati]], the priest of the Devas.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


One of the most original, which is not found in earlier manuscripts, tells how Ravana orders his court priest Brhaspati (all the gods being his slaves) to read the Chandi stava (mantras of Chandi), that is, the ''Devi Mahatmya'', in order to stave off defeat if he can recite it. According to the ''Krttivasa'' text, Ravana arranged for a peaceful [[yajna]] (sacrifice) and to start the recitation of Chandi, Brhaspati was invited. Accordingly, Brhaspati recited the same correctly.<ref>''Genesis and Evolution of the Rāma Kathā in Indian Art, Thought, Literature, and Culture: From the Earliest Period to the Modern Times, Volume 2'' By Shanti Lal Nagar</ref>
One account narrates how Ravana ordered Brihaspati to recite the Chandi stava (mantras of Chandi), more specifically the Devi Mahatmya, in order to stave off defeat. According to the Krttivasa text, Ravana arranged for a peaceful [[yajna]], and invited Brihaspati to start the recitation of Chandi.<ref>{{cite book |first=Shanti Lal |last=Nagar |title=Genesis and Evolution of the Rāma Kathā in Indian Art, Thought, Literature, and Culture: From the earliest period to modern times |volume=2}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=July 2022|reason=publisher, date, page}}


[[File:Mani Madhava Chakyar as Ravana.jpg|Ravana in [[Sanskrit]] drama of [[Kerala]], India- [[Kutiyattam]]. Artist: Guru ''Nātyāchārya'' [[Māni Mādhava Chākyār]]<ref>{{cite book
[[File:Mani Madhava Chakyar as Ravana.jpg|Ravana in [[Sanskrit]] drama of [[Kerala]], India- [[Kutiyattam]]. Artist: Guru ''Nātyāchārya'' [[Māni Mādhava Chākyār]]<ref>
{{cite book
| author = Chākyār, Māni Mādhava | author-link = Māni Mādhava Chākyār
| title = Nātyakalpadrumam
| year = 1996
| author = [[Māni Mādhava Chākyār]]|publisher = Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi
| title = Nātyakalpadrumam | title-link = Nātyakalpadrumam
| year = 1996
| place = New Delhi, IN
| title-link = Nātyakalpadrumam
| publisher = Sangeet Natak Akademi
| page = 6}}</ref>|thumb|right]]
| page = 6
}}
</ref>|thumb|right]]


== Other legends ==
== Depiction in other Scriptures ==
=== As Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper ===
=== Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper ===
In the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Ravana and his brother, [[Kumbhakarna]], were said to be reincarnations of [[Jaya-Vijaya|Jaya and Vijaya]], gatekeepers at [[Vaikuntha]], the abode of [[Vishnu]] and were cursed to be born in Earth for their insolence.
In the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Ravana and his brother [[Kumbhakarna]] are said to be reincarnations of [[Jaya-Vijaya|Jaya and Vijaya]], gatekeepers at [[Vaikuntha]] (the abode of [[Vishnu]]), and were cursed to be born on Earth for their insolence.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Ninan |first=M.M. |date=2008-06-23 |df=dmy-all |title=The Development of Hinduism |publisher=Madathil Mammen Ninan |isbn=978-1-4382-2820-4 |pages=241 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-8RTZcjg9awC&dq=Ravana+Kumbhakarna+cursed+born+on+earth&pg=PA241}}</ref>


These gatekeepers refused entry to the [[Catursana|Sanatha Kumara]] monks, who, because of their powers and austerity appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from [[Vaikuntha]] and to be born on Earth.
These gatekeepers refused entry to the [[Catursana|Sanatha Kumara]] monks who, because of their powers and austerity, appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from [[Vaikuntha]] and to be born on Earth.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Pankaj-2019-07-31-Stsmn" />


Vishnu agreed that they should be punished. They were given two choices, that they could be born seven times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or three times as powerful and strong people, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they choose the latter one. Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse on the second birth as enemies of Vishnu in the [[Treta Yuga]]. The curse of first birth was fulfilled by [[Hiranyakashipu]] and his brother [[Hiranyaksha]] in [[Satya Yuga]] when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu (Hiranyaksha by [[Varaha]] and Hiranyakashipu by [[Narasimha]]) and the curse of third birth was fulfilled by [[Dantavakra]] and [[Sisupala|Shishupala]] in the [[Dwapar Yuga]] when they both were slain by [[Krishna]], the eighth avatar.
Vishnu agreed that they should be punished and gave them two options. First, that they could be born seven times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or be born three times as strong and powerful beings, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they chose the latter option. The curse of the first birth was fulfilled by [[Hiranyakashipu]] and his brother [[Hiranyaksha]] in [[Satya Yuga]], when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu (Hiranyaksha by [[Varaha]], and Hiranyakashipu by [[Narasimha]]). Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse in their second birth as enemies of Vishnu in [[Treta Yuga]]. The curse of the third birth was fulfilled by [[Dantavakra]] and [[Shishupala]] in the [[Dvapara Yuga]], when they both were slain by [[Krishna]], the eighth avatar.<ref name=Pankaj-2019-07-31-Stsmn>{{cite news |author=Pankaj, Bhavana |date=31 July 2019 |title=Where Ravana is Vishnu's true Bhakta |newspaper=The Statesman |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/religion/ravana-vishnus-true-bhakta-1502783704.html |access-date=1 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>


=== Conflict with other kings and Asuras ===
=== Other conflicts ===
Ravana had gotten into a conflict with some other major Asuras.


Ravana had fought with the demons named [[Nivatakavacha]] along with his army for an entire year but was unable to kill them due to Brahma's boon. The war was stopped by Brahma and Ravana formed an alliance with them, he learnt several magical tricks or maya from those demons.<ref name="valmikiramayan.net">https://www.valmikiramayan.net/</ref>
# In [[Maheshwar]], Madhya Pradesh is where he is said to have fought, but lost, to [[Kartavirya Arjuna]], and he was tied up; later Kartavirya got the name Dashgrivjayi (the conqueror of Ravana just like [[Indrajit]] got his name by defeating [[Indra]]) and released him on the request of his grandfather sage [[Pulastya]]. Ravana vanquished.
# Marutta (Chakravarti King of Ushiraviga),
# Gadhi ([[Vishwamitra]]'s father),
# [[Dushyanta]] ([[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]'s father),
# Suratha (King of [[Vidarbha]]),
# Gaya (Chakravarti king of Dharmaranya), and
# [[Paurava]] (King of [[Anga]]).
# Ravana killed Anaranya, the king of [[Ayodhya]] although the latter cursed Ravana to be slain by Rama.
# Ravana was vanquished by the [[Ikshvaku]] King [[Mandhata]], an ancestor of [[Rama]].
# Ravana had wrestled his brother [[Kubera]] for the [[Puspaka]] car.
# In the [[Ramayana]], he fought [[Vali (Ramayana)|Vali]] the [[Kishkindha]] king, but was defeated by him.
# He also fought with the [[Nivatakavachas]], the descendants of [[Prahlada]], but being unable to defeat them, struck an alliance with them.
# Another time he was vanquished by the sage [[Kapila]].
# One time, upon hearing a discourse from Sage [[Sanatkumara]], Ravana attempted to invade [[Vaikuntha]]. Only Ravana managed to enter Vaikuntha's capital Shwetadwipa where he was hopelessly outmatched by the inhabitants over there and was forced to retreat.


Ravana had defeated the vanara warriors namely Hanuman, Sugriva, Neela and even Rama's brother Lakshmana twice during his war with Rama.<ref name="valmikiramayan.net"/> As per the original six books of Valmiki Ramayana, only lord Rama the incarnation of Vishnu defeated Ravana and killed him after several days of single duel.
== Historicity ==
According to the Uttra Kanda section of Ramayana, the [[Rakshasa]] were the demons or evil people<ref>[http://www.spokensanskrit.de/index.php?beginning=0+&tinput=rakshasa&trans=Translate&direction=SE Sanskrit Dictionary]</ref> in [[Sri Lanka]]. They were led by Malyavantha, [[Sumali]] and Sukesha of the Rakshasa, who were ousted by the [[Deva people of Sri Lanka|Deva]] with the help of [[Vishnu]], and then subsequently ruled by King Ravana.<ref name="ram">Ramayana Research. (2008). A Short History Of Heladiva. Available: http://ramayanaresearch.com/heladiva.html. Last accessed 14 March 2010.</ref>


Once, upon hearing a discourse from Sage [[Sanatkumara]], Ravana attempted to invade [[Vaikuntha]]. Only Ravana managed to enter Vaikuntha's capital, Shwetadwipa, where he was hopelessly outmatched by the inhabitants and was forced to retreat.
== Modern descendants of Ravana ==
[[File:Phu Yak.jpg|thumb|150px|Thotsakan (Ravana)'s sculpture as a guardian of [[Wat Phra Kaew]], [[Thailand]]]]


He killed Anaranya, the king of [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]], although he cursed Ravana to be slain by Rama.
There are some Shaiva temples where Ravana is worshiped.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071021/spectrum/society1.htm Ravana has his temples, too]. The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum. 21 October 2007.</ref><ref>Vachaspati.S, Ravana Brahma [in English], 2005, Rudrakavi Sahitya Peetham, Gandhi Nagar, Tenali, India.</ref><ref>Kamalesh Kumar Dave,Dashanan [in Hindi], 2008, Akshaya Jyotish Anusandan Kendra, Quila Road, [[Jodhpur]], India.</ref>


Ravana had wrestled his brother [[Kubera]] and vanquished him for the [[Vimana|Pushpaka Vimana]].
The Kanyakubja Brahmins of Vidisha district worship Ravana as he is personified as a symbol of prosperity and regarded as a saviour by them, and they claim that Ravana was also a Kanyakubja Brahmin. Thousands of [[Kanyakubja]] [[Brahmin]]s of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the [[Vidisha]] District of [[Madhya Pradesh]], perform daily [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] (worship) in the Ravan temple and offer naivedyam / [[bhog]] (a ritual of sacrifice to the Gods). Centuries ago King Shiv Shankar built a Ravana temple at [[Kanpur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The Ravana temple is opened once in a year, on [[Dashehra]] Day, to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana.<ref>{{cite newspaper |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/A-temple-where-demon-king-has-his-day/articleshow/54772663.cms |title=A temple where demon king has his day |first=Faiz |last=Siddiqui |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=10 October 2016 |accessdate=14 September 2018}}</ref>


He also fought Marutta (Chakravarti King of Ushiraviga), Gadhi ([[Vishwamitra]]'s father), [[Dushyanta]] ([[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]'s father), Suratha (King of [[Vidarbha]]), Gaya (Chakravarti king of Dharmaranya), and [[Paurava]] (King of [[Anga]]).
The Sachora Brahmins of Gujarat also claim to descend from Ravana, and have "Ravan" as their surnames sometimes.<ref>{{Cite book|title=People of India: A - G., Volume 4|last=|first=|publisher=Oxford Univ. Press|year=|isbn=|location=|page=3061}}</ref>


=== Rape of Rambha ===
Some Saraswat Brahmins from Mathura also claim to descend from Ravana.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mathura-lawyer-seeks-ban-on-burning-of-ravana-effigies-4862479/ "Mathura lawyer seeks ban on burning of Ravana effigies"]</ref><ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/raavan-vijay-dashmi-agra-saraswat-caste-brahmins-346178-2016-10-12 "A Dussehra without burning Ravana: This Brahmin community in Agra wants an end to practice"]</ref>
Ravana is regarded to have once caught sight of the [[apsara]] [[Rambha (apsara)|Rambha]] and was filled with lust. Even as the apsara resisted his advances by asserting that she was his daughter-in-law, he raped her. When she reported this to her husband, [[Nalakuvara]], he cursed Ravana to be unable to cause violence to any woman who did not consent to being with him, his head splitting into a number of pieces if he did so. This incident is stated to explain why Ravana could not force the abducted Sita to submit to his desire.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Doniger |first=Wendy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iM_QAgAAQBAJ&dq=Ravana+rape+Rambha&pg=PA535 |title=On Hinduism |date=March 2014 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-936007-9 |pages=535 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Vālmīki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h1g6fWIu-kAC&pg=PA393 |title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Araṇyakāṇḍa |date=2007 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=978-81-208-3164-3 |pages=393 |language=en}}</ref>


== Worship and temples ==
There is also reference to "''Ravani''", lineage of Upadhyaya Yasastrata II, who was of the Gautama gotra and was a son of Acharya Vasudatta, and described as "''born of Ravani''" <ref>Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute, Volume 15 By I.B. Corporation</ref>
[[File:Phu Yak.jpg|thumb|150px|Thotsakan (Ravana)'s sculpture as a guardian of [[Wat Phra Kaew]], [[Thailand]]]]


=== Worship ===
The [[Gondi people]] of central India claim to be descendants of Ravana, and they also have temples set up for him, his wife Mandodari, and their son Meghnad. They also state that Ravana was an ancient Gond king, and the tenth ''dharmaguru'' of their tribe. Every year on [[Dussehra]], the Gondis of the village of [[Paraswadi]] carry an image of Ravana riding on an elephant in a procession.<ref>[https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/asuras-no-just-indians/291677 Asuras? No, Just Indians], Outlook India</ref><ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/omar-rashid-on-ravan-worship/article7799972.ece Celebrating Ravan], The Hindu</ref>
Ravana is worshipped as one of Shiva's most revered followers,<ref name="spectrum"/> and he is even worshipped in some Shiva temples.<ref name = "spectrum">{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071021/spectrum/society1.htm |title=Ravana has his temples, too |newspaper=The Sunday Tribune |department=Spectrum |date=21 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Vachaspati, S. |title=Ravana Brahma |year=2005 |publisher=Rudrakavi Sahitya Peetham, Gandhi Nagar |place=Tenali, India |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Dave, Kamalesh Kumar |year=2008 |title=Dashanan |publisher=Akshaya Jyotish Anusandan Kendra |place=[[Jodhpur]], India |language=Hindi}}</ref>


Ravana is worshipped by the Kanyakubja Brahmins of the Vidisha region, who see him as a savior and a sign of prosperity, claiming Ravana was also a Kanyakubja Brahmin. Thousands of [[Kanyakubja]] [[Brahmin]]s of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the [[Vidisha]] District of [[Madhya Pradesh]], perform daily [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] in the Ravana temple and offer naivedyam or [[bhog]] (a ritual of sacrifice to the gods).
== Temples built by Ravana ==
=== Himachal Pradesh ===
[[Baijnath Temple]] was a Shiva temple in Himachal Pradesh state, also known as Ravankhola (''Place of Ravana'').


King Shiv Shankar built a Ravana temple in [[Kanpur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The Ravana temple is open once a year, on the day of [[Dushehra|Dashera]], to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana.<ref>{{cite news |first=Faiz |last=Siddiqui |date=10 October 2016 |title=A temple where demon king has his day |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/A-temple-where-demon-king-has-his-day/articleshow/54772663.cms |access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref>
=== Andhra Pradesh ===
[[Kakinada]] is a Shiva temple in [[Andhra Pradesh]] containing a huge [[Shivalinga]], supposedly installed by Ravana himself, with a statue of Ravana near by. Both Shivalinga and Ravana are worshiped by the fishermen community there.


Ravana is also worshipped by Hindus of [[Bisrakh]], who claim their town to be his birthplace.<ref>{{cite news |title=Only the elderly come to mourn Ravana in 'birthplace' Bisrakh |date=4 October 2014 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/only-the-elderly-come-to-mourn-ravana-in-birthplace-bisrakh/ |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
=== Sri Lanka ===


The Sachora Brahmins of Gujarat claim to be descendants of Ravana, and sometimes have "Ravan" as their surnames.<ref>{{cite book |title=People of India |volume=4: A–G |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=3061}}</ref>
*[[Seetha Amman Temple]]
*[[Munneswaram temple]]


Saraswat Brahmins from Mathura claim Ravana as a saraswat Brahmin as per his lineage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mathura lawyer seeks ban on burning of Ravana effigies |date=26 September 2017 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mathura-lawyer-seeks-ban-on-burning-of-ravana-effigies-4862479/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Qureshi, Siraj |date=12 October 2016 |title=A Dussehra without burning Ravana: This Brahmin community in Agra wants an end to practice |magazine=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/raavan-vijay-dashmi-agra-saraswat-caste-brahmins-346178-2016-10-12}}</ref>
== Ravana-Dahan (burning effigy of Ravana) ==
[[File:Ravana fizzles.jpg|thumb|An Effigy of Ravana with burning sparklers on [[Dusshera]]. ''Dashehra Diwali Mela'' in Manchester, England, 2006.]]


There has also been reference to "Ravani", the lineage of Upadhyaya Yasastrata II, who was of the Gautama gotra and Acharya Vasudatta's son, and described as "born of Ravani".<ref>{{cite journal |title={{grey|[no title cited]}} |journal=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute |volume=15 |publisher=I.B. Corporation}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=July 2022|reason=author, title, issue, page(s)}}
Effigies of Ra are burned on [[Vijayadashami]], in India at many places. It is said that it is symbolisation of triumph over evil (i.e. Ravana) by Rama.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}


The [[Gondi people]] of central India claim to be descendants of Ravana, and have temples for him, his wife Mandodari, and their son Meghnad. They also state that Ravana was an ancient Gond king, the tenth ''dharmaguru'' of their tribe, and the eighteenth lingo (divine teacher). Annually on [[Dussehra]], the Gondis from the village of [[Paraswadi]] carry an image of Ravana riding on an elephant in a procession.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rashid, Omar |date=24 October 2015 |title=Celebrating Ravan |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/omar-rashid-on-ravan-worship/article7799972.ece}}</ref>
== Ravanahatha ==
The ancient instrument known as a [[Ravanahatha]] is said to have belonged to a sovereign in present-day India around 5000 BC. It replicates the ancient instrument called Ravan Hatta which is found even today in Rajasthan. Mythology credits this creation to Ravana.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}


=== Temples ===
== Influence on Indian culture and art ==
The following temples in India are for Ravana as a Shiva Bhakta.
[[File:Hanuman and Ravana in Tholu Bommalata, the shadow puppet tradition of Andhra Pradesh, India.JPG|thumb|270px|Ravana with [[Hanuman]] in ''[[Shadow Puppets of Andhra Pradesh|Tholu Bommalata]]'', the [[shadow puppet]] tradition of [[Andhra Pradesh]], India]]
* Dashanan Temple, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh<ref name=IndiaTV-2016-10-11>{{cite news |title=Five temples of Ravana in India where demon king is worshipped |date=11 October 2016 |publisher=India TV |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-five-temples-of-ravana-in-india-where-demon-king-is-worshipped-351861}}</ref>
A [[Ramleela]] actor wears the traditional attire of Ravana. One of the most important literary works of ancient India, the ''Ramayana'' has had a profound impact on art and culture in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}
* Ravana Temple, Bisrakh, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh<ref name=IndiaTV-2016-10-11/>
* Kakinada Ravana Temple, Andhra Pradesh<ref name=IndiaTV-2016-10-11/>
* Ravangram Ravana Temple, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh<ref name=IndiaTV-2016-10-11/>
* Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh<ref name=IndiaTV-2016-10-11/>
* Mandore Ravan Temple, Jodhpur<ref name="Native Planet">{{cite web |title=Unique Ravana temples in India |date=27 April 2018 |website=Native Planet |department=Travel guide |url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/unique-ravana-temples-in-india-001812.html}}</ref>
* Baijanath Temple, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh<ref name="Native Planet"/>
* Ravaleshwara temple- Malavalli, mandya district of Karnataka


=== Texts attributed to Ravana ===
== Influence on culture and art ==
[[File:Hanuman and Ravana in Tholu Bommalata, the shadow puppet tradition of Andhra Pradesh, India.JPG|thumb|270px|Ravana with [[Hanuman]] in ''[[tholu bommalata]]'', a [[shadow puppet]] tradition of [[Andhra Pradesh]], India]]
==== Astronomy ====
[[File:Ravana Carnival.jpg|thumb|203x203px|A carnival of Ravana]]
There is also texts attributed to Ravana. The ''Ravan Samhita'' is an astrological text or scripture narrated by Shiva and written by Ravana.


=== Ravana-Dahan (burning effigy of Ravana) ===
==== Medicine ====
[[File:Ravana_fizzles.jpg|thumb|An effigy of Ravana with burning sparklers on [[Dusshera]]. ''Dashehra Diwali Mela'' in Manchester, England, 2006]]
The ''Ravanakumara Tantra'' is a part of the tantric rituals of the ''Kriyakalagunottara Tantra'',<ref>The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India By David Gordon White</ref> and it is an 11th-century Sanskrit work for the treatment of children's diseases.{{cn|date=February 2019}} It is also known as the ''Ravanaproktabalacikitsasutra'' ("''Sutra Spoken by Ravana on the Curing of Children's Diseases''.")
Effigies of Ravana are burned on [[Vijayadashami]] in many places throughout India to symbolize Rama's triumph over evil.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dussehra 2018: What is the significance Of Ravana Dahan? |website=NDTV.com |department=Dehli news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/ravana-dahan-2018-what-is-the-significance-of-ravana-dahan-1934573 |access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref>


=== Ravanahatha ===
Ravana appears as the composer of the 16th century C.E. text, ''Arka Prakasa'', which is a dialogue between the king of Lanka and his wife Mandodhari about which herbs and chemicals can be used in a mixture to cure illnesses, such as syphilis
According to mythology, the ''[[ravanahatha]]'', an ancient bowed [[string instrument]], was created by Ravana and is still used as a Rajasthani folk instrument.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lankan revives Ravana's musical instrument |date=9 March 2008 |website=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)|The Island]] |place=Sri Lanka |url=http://www.island.lk/2008/03/09/news11.html}}</ref>


== In other religions ==
Ravana is also the composer of the 16th century C.E. scriptures ''Nadi Pariksa'' and ''Nadi Vijnana'' on knowledge about the veins.


In the Rin-spuns-pa Tibetan Ramayana, it is prophesied that Ravana will return as the Buddha incarnation of Vishnu in Kali Yuga.
==== Linguistics ====
Ravana is the composer of the ''Ravanabhet'', a Vedic text on phonetics of the Sanskrit language.
The Arunachal Pradesh Tai Khamti Ramayana (Phra Chow Lamang) shows Rama as a Bodhisattva who was reborn so Ravana could torture him.
In the Laotian Buddhist text [[Phra Lak Phra Lam]], Rama is a Bodhisattva and the embodiment of virtues, while Ravana is a Brahmin ("''mahabrahma''") son of Virulaha who is highly materialistic.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In the Cambodian Buddhist text [[Reamker|Preah Ream]], Buddha is an incarnation of Rama and Ravana is a rakshasa.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In the Thai Buddhist text [[Ramakien]], Ravana is a rakshasa<ref>{{Cite book|title=Prachi Darshan|last=Vyas|first=Lallan Prasad|pages=98}}</ref> known as "Thotsakan" (ทศกัณฐ์, from Sanskrit दशकण्ठ, Daśakaṇṭha, "ten necks"), and is depicted with green skin.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
In the [[Karandavyuha Sutra]], [[Yama]] asks if the visitor in hell (Avalokitesvara), whom he hasn't seen yet, is a god or a demon, and whether he is Vishnu, [[Maheśvara (Buddhism)|Mahesvara]], or the rakshasa Ravana.


=== Jainism ===
Ravana is also the composer of the ''Ravaniya'', also known as ''Ravanabaith'', text on phonetics of the Telugu language.
{{Further|Salakapurusa}}
[[File:Jain Universal History Diorama in Jain Museum of Madhuban 44.jpg|thumb|A diorama in Jain Museum of Madhuban depicting Ravana]]
[[Jain]] accounts vary from the traditional Hindu accounts of the Ramayana. The incidents are placed at the time of the 20th [[Tirthankara]], [[Munisuvrata]]. In Jainism, both Rama and Ravana were devout Jains.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=S.R. |year=1940 |title=Jainism and Karnataka Culture |publisher=Karnatak Historical Research Society |location=Dharwar, IN |page=76 }}</ref> Ravana was a [[Vidyadhara]] king who had magical powers,<ref>{{cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |year=2010 |title=Hinduism: An alphabetical guide |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] India |page=338 |isbn=9780143414216 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC}}</ref> and Lakshmana, not Rama, was the one who ultimately killed Ravana.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ramanujan |first=A.K. |year=1991 |editor=Paula Richman |title=Many Rāmāyaṇas: The diversity of a narrative tradition in south Asia |page=35 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-07589-4 |chapter=Three hundred Rāmāyaṇas: Five examples and Three thoughts on Translation |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkifYfljHP4C}}</ref>


=== Dravidian movement ===
"Ravana Lankesvara" is to whom the ''Prakrta-Kamadhenu'' grammatical text on the Prakrit language is attributed.
[[Pulavar Kuzhanthai]]'s Ravana Kaaviyam is a [[panegyric]] on Ravana that is made up of 3,100 poetic stanzas in which Ravana is the hero. The book was released in 1946, and was subsequently banned by India's [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] led government. The ban was later lifted in 1971.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Pandian, M.S.S. |date=2 November 1998 |title=Ravana as antidote |magazine=Outlook India |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ravana-as-antidote/206446 |access-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135407/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ravana-as-antidote/206446 |archive-date=2018-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Nalankilli, Thanjai |date=April 2006 |title=Censorship of Dravidian voices in Tamil Nadu (India) in 1948, 1949 |magazine=Tamil Tribune |url=http://www.tamiltribune.com/06/0401.html |url-status=dead <!-- presumed --> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108182839/http://www.tamiltribune.com/06/0401.html |archive-date=8 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sivapriyan |first=E.T.B. |title=Ram Temple: Tamilians praise Ravana on ''Twitter'' |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=5 August 2020 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/ram-temple-tamilians-praise-ravana-on-twitter-869883.html |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref>


==== Spirituality ====
==In popular culture==
Sri Lanka named its first satellite [[Raavana 1]] after Ravana.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yamunan |first=Sruthisagar |date=6 July 2019 |title=Why Sri Lanka named its first-ever satellite after Ravana |website=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/article/929015/why-sri-lanka-named-its-first-ever-satellite-after-ravana |access-date=2 July 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>
There is also the [[Samkhya]] scripture known as the ''Ravana-bhasya'', which is also known as ''Ravanabhasya'', is believed to be written by Ravana.


Ravana appears as the primary antagonist in [[Ramayana#In modern popular culture|films and television series based on the ''Ramayana'']]. Movies like ''Bhakta Ravana'' (1938) and its [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ([[Bhookailas (1940 film)|1940]] and [[Bhookailas (1958 film)|1958]]) and [[Kannada]] ([[Bhookailasa (film)|1958]]) adaptations as well as television series ''[[Raavan (TV series)|Raavan]]'' (2006-2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov192.htm|title=Zee TV enters new genre with 'Ravan' on Saturdays at 9|work=Indiantelevision.com|date=16 November 2006}}</ref> are focused on the tale on Ravana. The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film ''[[Raavanan (2010 film)|Raavanan]]'' (2010) and its [[Hindi]] counterpart ''[[Raavan (2010 film)|Raavan]]'' (2010) narrate the epic from Ravana's perspective in a modern setting.
The writer of the Vaisesika scripture ''Katandi'' (commentary on the ''[[Vaisesika Sutra]]'') is attributed to have been written by Ravana.


Author [[Amish Tripathi]]'s 2019 novel ''[[Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta]]'' chronicles the life of Ravana until the time he kidnaps [[Sita]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/amish-tripathi-s-raavan-enemy-of-aryavarta-hits-stands-119070200545_1.html|title=Amish Tripathi's 'Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta' hits stands|work=Business Standard|date=2 July 2019|accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/amish-tripathis-raavan-enemy-of-aryavarta-to-release-in-july/articleshow/69230605.cms|title=Amish Tripathi's 'Raavan- Enemy of Aryavarta' to release in July|work=The Times of India|date=8 May 2019|accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref> It is the third book in Tripathi's Ram Chandra Series.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/excerpt-raavan-enemy-of-aryavarta-by-amish/story-xCkBcVXzW7hEniZaQvETxH.html|title=Excerpt: Raavan; Enemy of Aryavarta by Amish|work=Hindustan Times|date=29 June 2019|accessdate=4 July 2019}}</ref>
Ravana is also the name used by a commentator of the Shaiva ''Rudrapurascharana.''


Hardeep Singh portrayed him in the 2024 Hindi film ''[[Singham Again]]''.
"Ravanacharya" is the scholar who wrote the ''Padaratna'', a commentary on the Rig Veda.


== See also ==
Ravana is the composer of the Shavite scripture, ''Shiva Tandava Stotram.''
* [[Asura]]
* [[Bull Demon King]]
* [[Daitya]]
* [[Danava (Hinduism)]]
* [[Keibu Keioiba]]
* [[Raksasa]]


==References==
== Alternate Ramayanas ==
{{reflist|25em}}


==Bibliography==
=== Buddhist versions ===
{{refbegin}}
Rama is always the [[protagonist]]. In Rin-spuns-pa Tibetan Ramayana, it is prophesied that "Ramana" will return as the Buddha incarnation of Vishnu in the Kali Yuga.


* {{cite book |last=Doniger |first=Wendy |author-link=Wendy Doniger |year=1993 |title=Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and transformation in Hindu and Jaina texts |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |isbn=9780791413814 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kZFzHCuiFAC |via=Google Books}}
The Khamti Ramayana as well describes Rama as a Bodhisattva incarnated to punish demon Ravana.
* {{cite book |last=Udayakumar |first=S.P. |year=2005 |title=Presenting the Past: Anxious history and ancient future in Hindutva India |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group}}


In the Laotian Buddhist text, ''[[Phra Lak Phra Lam]]'', Rama is a Bodhisattva and the embodiment of virtues, while Ravana is a Brahmin ("''mahabrahma''") son of Virulaha but is highly materialistic.

In the Cambodian Buddhist text, ''[[Reamker|Preah Ream]]'', Buddha is an incarnation of Rama and Ravana is a rakshasa.

In the Thai Buddhist text, ''[[Ramakien]]'', Ravana is a rakshasa.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Prachi Darshan|last=Vyas|first=Lallan Prasad|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=98}}</ref> There, he is instead known as "Thotsakan" (ทศกัณฐ์, from Sanskrit दशकण्ठ, Daśakaṇṭha, "ten necks"), and he is depicted with green skin.

In the ''[[Lankavatara Sutra]]'', Gautama Buddha pays a visit to Ravana in the demon's layer in Lanka, and in the scripture he is addressed as a "''Rakshasas''." He is normally identified as a demon.

In the ''[[Karandavyuha Sutra]]'', god [[Yama]] asks if the visitor in hell (Avalokitesvara) that he hasn't seen yet is a god or a demon, and asks whether he is Vishnu, [[Mahesvara]], or the "''rakshasa''" ("''demon''") Ravana.

=== Jain version ===
{{further|Salakapurusa}}
[[Jain]] accounts vary from the traditional Hindu accounts of ''Ramayana''. The incidents are placed at the time of the 20th [[Tirthankara]], [[Munisuvrata]]. According to Jain version, both [[Rama in Jainism|Rama]] as well as Ravana were devout Jains.<ref>{{citation |last=Sharma |first=S.R. |title=Jainism and Karnataka Culture |date=1940 |publisher=Karnatak Historical Research Society |location=Dharwar |p=76 }}</ref> Ravana was a [[Vidyadhara]] King having magical powers.<ref>{{citation |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |date=2010 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |location=[[India]] |p=338 |isbn=9780143414216 }}</ref> Also, as per the Jain accounts, Ravana was killed by Lakshmana and not Rama in the end.<ref>{{citation |last=Ramanujan |first=A.K. |editor=Paula Richman |title=Many Rāmāyaṇas: The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XkifYfljHP4C |date=1991 |p=35 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-07589-4 |chapter=Three hundred Rāmāyaṇas: Five examples and Three thoughts on Translation }}</ref>

== Related TV Series ==
*[[Raavan (TV series)]]
*[[Ramayan (1986 TV series)]]
*Ravana(රාවණ)2018 TV drama
*

== See also ==
*[[Asura]]
*[[Daitya]]
*[[Danava (Hinduism)]]
*[[Raksasa]]

== References ==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist|30em}}
'''Bibliography'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation|last=Doniger|first=Wendy|authorlink=Wendy Doniger|title=Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=-kZFzHCuiFAC|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|date=1993|location=|isbn=9780791413814}}
* {{Cite journal | last =Udayakumar | first =S.P. | year =2005 | title =Presenting the Past: Anxious History and Ancient Future in Hindutva India | publisher =Greenwood Publishing Group | postscript =<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}}}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130708195310/http://www.ramayanaresearch.com/rawana.html Rawana the Historical King of Heladiwa|Ramayana Research]
* {{cite web |title=Rawana the Historical King of Heladiwa |website=Ramayana Research |url=http://www.ramayanaresearch.com/rawana.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708195310/http://www.ramayanaresearch.com/rawana.html |archive-date=2013-07-08}}


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[[Category:Brahmins]]
[[Category:Brahmins]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Hindu philosophers]]
[[Category:Danavas]]
[[Category:Hindu sages]]
[[Category:Demons in Hinduism]]
[[Category:People whose existence is disputed]]
[[Category:Evil gods]]
[[Category:Ramayana]]
[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Legendary monarchs]]
[[Category:Rakshasa in the Ramayana]]
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Latest revision as of 21:52, 4 January 2025

Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see Ravan (disambiguation).
Ravana
Ravana, South India, 18th century CE
Ravana, South India, 18th century CE
Devanagariरावण
Sanskrit transliterationRāvaṇa
AffiliationLanka, Rakshasa
PredecessorKubera (King of Lanka)
SuccessorVibhishana (King of Lanka)
AbodeLanka
MountPushpaka Vimana
TextsRamayana and its versions
Genealogy
Parents
SiblingsKumbhakarna
Vibhishana
Shurpanakha
half-brother - Kubera
Kumbhini
Spouse
and Chitrangada
ChildrenIndrajit and Akshayakumara (by Mandodari)
Narantaka, Devantaka, Atikaya and Trishira (by Dhanyamalini)
Veerbahu (by Chitrangada) Mahiravana(spiritual sons)

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Ravana is a demon-king[1][2] of the island of Lanka and the chief antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana.[3][2] In the Ramayana, Ravana is described as the eldest son of sage Vishrava and Kaikasi. He abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her in the Ashoka Vatika.[4] Rama, with the support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of varanasi, launched a rescue operation for Sita against Ravana in Lanka. Ravana was subsequently slain, and Rama rescued his beloved wife Sita.[5][6]

Ravana was well-versed in the six shastras and the four Vedas, including the Shiva Tandava Stotra.[7] Ravana is also considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are often seen associated with Shiva at temples. He also appears in the Buddhist Mahayana text Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, in Buddhist Jatakas, as well as in Jain Ramayanas. In Vaishnava scriptures, he is depicted as one of Vishnu's cursed doorkeepers.[8]

Etymology

[edit]
Statue of Ravana at Koneswaram Hindu Temple, Sri Lanka

The word Rāvaṇa (Sanskrit: रावण) means "Roaring" (active), the opposite of Vaiśravaṇa which means to "hear distinctly" (passive).[9][10] Both Ravana and Vaiśravaṇa, who is commonly known as Kubera, are considered to be patronymics derived from "sons of Vishrava".[9][10][11][12]

Ravana was a title later taken on by Dashānana, and it means "the one with ten (dasha) faces (anana)". Further, roravana is Sanskrit for "loud roaring." In Abhinava Gupta's Krama Shaiva scripture, yāsām rāvanam is used as an expression to mean people who are truly aware of the materialism of their environment.[citation needed]

Ravana has many other popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Dasis Sakvithi Maha Ravana, Dashaanan, Ravula, Lankapati, Lankeshwar, Lankeshwaran, Ravanasura and Ravanaeshwaran.[13]

Iconography

[edit]

Ravana is depicted and described as having ten heads, although he is sometimes shown with only nine heads since he cut one off to convince Shiva.[14] He is described as a devout follower of Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler, and a maestro of the Veena. Ravana is also depicted as the author of the Ravana Samhita, a book on Hindu astrology, and the Arka Prakasham, a book on Siddha medicine and treatment. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of Siddha and political science. In some later versions, he is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly thanks to a celestial boon from Brahma. In the War with Lord Rama, Ravana was killed by a powerful Brahma's weapon shot by Rama which was gifted to Rama by Sage Agstya.[15][page needed]

Life and legends

[edit]

Birth

[edit]
The abduction of Sita

Ravana was born to the Brahmin sage Vishrava and the Rakshasa princess Kaikasi in Treta Yuga.[16] Villagers from Bisrakh in Uttar Pradesh claim that Bisrakh was named after Vishrava, and that Ravana was born there.[17]

Ravana's paternal grandfather, the sage Pulastya,[18] was one of the ten Prajapatis, or mind-born sons of Brahma, and one of the Saptarishi (seven great sages) in the first Manvantara (age of Manu). His maternal grandfather was Sumali (or Sumalaya), the king of the Rakshasas and the son of Sukesha. Sumali had ten sons and four daughters. Sumali wished for Kaikasi to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikasi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana and his siblings were born to the couple and they completed their education from their father, with Ravana being a great scholar of the Vedas.[citation needed]

Boon from Brahma

[edit]

Ravana and his two brothers, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana, performed penance on Mount Gokarna for 10,000 years and won boons from Brahma. Ravana was blessed with a boon that would make him invincible to all the creations of Brahma, except for humans.[19] He also received weapons, a chariot, as well as the ability to shapeshift from Brahma.[citation needed] According to the Ramayana, demigods approached Brahma since Ravana was causing harm on Earth. Lord Vishnu appeared and gave blessings that he will incarnate as a human (Rama) and kill Ravana since his invincibility boon did not include humans.[20]

Devotee of Shiva

[edit]
See also: Ravananugraha
Ravananugraha theme

One of the most popular images of Shiva is called "Ravananugraha", which was popular in the Gupta era. It depicts Ravana beneath Mount Kailash playing a veena made out of his head and hands, and strings made out of his tendons, while Shiva and Parvati sit on top of the mountain.[21][full citation needed] According to scriptures, Ravana once tried to lift Mount Kailash, but Shiva pushed the mountain into place and trapped Ravana beneath it. For a thousand years, the imprisoned Ravana sang Shiva Tandava Stotra, a hymn in praise of Shiva, who finally blessed him and granted him an invincible sword and a powerful linga (Shiva's iconic symbol, Atmalinga) to worship. But this incident has little to no evidence in Valmiki Ramayana.[22][21]

Family

[edit]
Queen Mandodari and the women of Lanka mourning the death of Ravana. Bas-relief of 9th century Prambanan Temple, Java, Indonesia

Ravana's parents were the sage Vishrava (son of Pulastya) and Kaikesi (daughter of Sumali and Ketumati). Ravana had seventeen maternal uncles and three maternal aunts. Dhumraksha, Prahastha, Akampana, Vajramushti, Suparshwa and Virupaksha, a few of his maternal uncles, were generals in the Lanka army. Kaikesi's father, Sumali and uncle, Malyavan were instrumental in making Ravana the king of Lanka by advising him to receive boons from Brahma, defeat Kubera, and establish rakshasa rule in the three worlds.[23]

Ravana's granduncle was Malyavan, who opposed the war with Rama and Lakshmana. He also had another granduncle named Mali who was killed by Vishnu.[23]

Ravana had 2 full brothers, 8 half brothers, 1 full sister and 3 half sisters.

Ravana had three wives, Mandodari, the daughter of the celestial architect Maya, Dhanyamalini, and a third wife. His sons from his three wives were Meghanada, Atikaya, Akshayakumara, Narantaka, Devantaka and Trishira.

Priestly ministers

[edit]

In some accounts, Ravana is said to have had Shukracharya, the priest of the Asuras, as his minister, and in other accounts, Brihaspati, the priest of the Devas.[citation needed]

One account narrates how Ravana ordered Brihaspati to recite the Chandi stava (mantras of Chandi), more specifically the Devi Mahatmya, in order to stave off defeat. According to the Krttivasa text, Ravana arranged for a peaceful yajna, and invited Brihaspati to start the recitation of Chandi.[24][full citation needed]

Ravana in Sanskrit drama of Kerala, India- Kutiyattam. Artist: Guru Nātyāchārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār[25]

Other legends

[edit]

Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper

[edit]

In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna are said to be reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu), and were cursed to be born on Earth for their insolence.[26]

These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha Kumara monks who, because of their powers and austerity, appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from Vaikuntha and to be born on Earth.[26][8]

Vishnu agreed that they should be punished and gave them two options. First, that they could be born seven times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or be born three times as strong and powerful beings, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they chose the latter option. The curse of the first birth was fulfilled by Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha in Satya Yuga, when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu (Hiranyaksha by Varaha, and Hiranyakashipu by Narasimha). Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse in their second birth as enemies of Vishnu in Treta Yuga. The curse of the third birth was fulfilled by Dantavakra and Shishupala in the Dvapara Yuga, when they both were slain by Krishna, the eighth avatar.[8]

Other conflicts

[edit]

Ravana had fought with the demons named Nivatakavacha along with his army for an entire year but was unable to kill them due to Brahma's boon. The war was stopped by Brahma and Ravana formed an alliance with them, he learnt several magical tricks or maya from those demons.[27]

Ravana had defeated the vanara warriors namely Hanuman, Sugriva, Neela and even Rama's brother Lakshmana twice during his war with Rama.[27] As per the original six books of Valmiki Ramayana, only lord Rama the incarnation of Vishnu defeated Ravana and killed him after several days of single duel.

Once, upon hearing a discourse from Sage Sanatkumara, Ravana attempted to invade Vaikuntha. Only Ravana managed to enter Vaikuntha's capital, Shwetadwipa, where he was hopelessly outmatched by the inhabitants and was forced to retreat.

He killed Anaranya, the king of Ayodhya, although he cursed Ravana to be slain by Rama.

Ravana had wrestled his brother Kubera and vanquished him for the Pushpaka Vimana.

He also fought Marutta (Chakravarti King of Ushiraviga), Gadhi (Vishwamitra's father), Dushyanta (Bharata's father), Suratha (King of Vidarbha), Gaya (Chakravarti king of Dharmaranya), and Paurava (King of Anga).

Rape of Rambha

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Ravana is regarded to have once caught sight of the apsara Rambha and was filled with lust. Even as the apsara resisted his advances by asserting that she was his daughter-in-law, he raped her. When she reported this to her husband, Nalakuvara, he cursed Ravana to be unable to cause violence to any woman who did not consent to being with him, his head splitting into a number of pieces if he did so. This incident is stated to explain why Ravana could not force the abducted Sita to submit to his desire.[28][29]

Worship and temples

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Thotsakan (Ravana)'s sculpture as a guardian of Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand

Worship

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Ravana is worshipped as one of Shiva's most revered followers,[30] and he is even worshipped in some Shiva temples.[30][31][32]

Ravana is worshipped by the Kanyakubja Brahmins of the Vidisha region, who see him as a savior and a sign of prosperity, claiming Ravana was also a Kanyakubja Brahmin. Thousands of Kanyakubja Brahmins of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, perform daily puja in the Ravana temple and offer naivedyam or bhog (a ritual of sacrifice to the gods).

King Shiv Shankar built a Ravana temple in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The Ravana temple is open once a year, on the day of Dashera, to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana.[33]

Ravana is also worshipped by Hindus of Bisrakh, who claim their town to be his birthplace.[34]

The Sachora Brahmins of Gujarat claim to be descendants of Ravana, and sometimes have "Ravan" as their surnames.[35]

Saraswat Brahmins from Mathura claim Ravana as a saraswat Brahmin as per his lineage.[36][37]

There has also been reference to "Ravani", the lineage of Upadhyaya Yasastrata II, who was of the Gautama gotra and Acharya Vasudatta's son, and described as "born of Ravani".[38][full citation needed]

The Gondi people of central India claim to be descendants of Ravana, and have temples for him, his wife Mandodari, and their son Meghnad. They also state that Ravana was an ancient Gond king, the tenth dharmaguru of their tribe, and the eighteenth lingo (divine teacher). Annually on Dussehra, the Gondis from the village of Paraswadi carry an image of Ravana riding on an elephant in a procession.[39]

Temples

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The following temples in India are for Ravana as a Shiva Bhakta.

  • Dashanan Temple, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh[40]
  • Ravana Temple, Bisrakh, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh[40]
  • Kakinada Ravana Temple, Andhra Pradesh[40]
  • Ravangram Ravana Temple, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh[40]
  • Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh[40]
  • Mandore Ravan Temple, Jodhpur[41]
  • Baijanath Temple, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh[41]
  • Ravaleshwara temple- Malavalli, mandya district of Karnataka

Influence on culture and art

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Ravana with Hanuman in tholu bommalata, a shadow puppet tradition of Andhra Pradesh, India
A carnival of Ravana

Ravana-Dahan (burning effigy of Ravana)

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An effigy of Ravana with burning sparklers on Dusshera. Dashehra Diwali Mela in Manchester, England, 2006

Effigies of Ravana are burned on Vijayadashami in many places throughout India to symbolize Rama's triumph over evil.[42]

Ravanahatha

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According to mythology, the ravanahatha, an ancient bowed string instrument, was created by Ravana and is still used as a Rajasthani folk instrument.[43]

In other religions

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In the Rin-spuns-pa Tibetan Ramayana, it is prophesied that Ravana will return as the Buddha incarnation of Vishnu in Kali Yuga.

The Arunachal Pradesh Tai Khamti Ramayana (Phra Chow Lamang) shows Rama as a Bodhisattva who was reborn so Ravana could torture him.

In the Laotian Buddhist text Phra Lak Phra Lam, Rama is a Bodhisattva and the embodiment of virtues, while Ravana is a Brahmin ("mahabrahma") son of Virulaha who is highly materialistic.[citation needed]

In the Cambodian Buddhist text Preah Ream, Buddha is an incarnation of Rama and Ravana is a rakshasa.[citation needed]

In the Thai Buddhist text Ramakien, Ravana is a rakshasa[44] known as "Thotsakan" (ทศกัณฐ์, from Sanskrit दशकण्ठ, Daśakaṇṭha, "ten necks"), and is depicted with green skin.[citation needed]

In the Karandavyuha Sutra, Yama asks if the visitor in hell (Avalokitesvara), whom he hasn't seen yet, is a god or a demon, and whether he is Vishnu, Mahesvara, or the rakshasa Ravana.

Jainism

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Further information: Salakapurusa
A diorama in Jain Museum of Madhuban depicting Ravana

Jain accounts vary from the traditional Hindu accounts of the Ramayana. The incidents are placed at the time of the 20th Tirthankara, Munisuvrata. In Jainism, both Rama and Ravana were devout Jains.[45] Ravana was a Vidyadhara king who had magical powers,[46] and Lakshmana, not Rama, was the one who ultimately killed Ravana.[47]

Dravidian movement

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Pulavar Kuzhanthai's Ravana Kaaviyam is a panegyric on Ravana that is made up of 3,100 poetic stanzas in which Ravana is the hero. The book was released in 1946, and was subsequently banned by India's Congress led government. The ban was later lifted in 1971.[48][49][50]

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Sri Lanka named its first satellite Raavana 1 after Ravana.[51]

Ravana appears as the primary antagonist in films and television series based on the Ramayana. Movies like Bhakta Ravana (1938) and its Telugu (1940 and 1958) and Kannada (1958) adaptations as well as television series Raavan (2006-2008)[52] are focused on the tale on Ravana. The Tamil film Raavanan (2010) and its Hindi counterpart Raavan (2010) narrate the epic from Ravana's perspective in a modern setting.

Author Amish Tripathi's 2019 novel Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta chronicles the life of Ravana until the time he kidnaps Sita.[53][54] It is the third book in Tripathi's Ram Chandra Series.[55]

Hardeep Singh portrayed him in the 2024 Hindi film Singham Again.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Justin W. Henry, Ravana's Kingdom: The Ramayana and Sri Lankan History from Below, Oxford University Press, p.3
  2. ^ a b Brown, Nathan Robert (2 August 2011). The Mythology of Supernatural: The signs and symbols behind the popular TV show. Berkley Boulevard books, Newwork. ISBN 9781101517529. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  3. ^ Wheeler, James Talboys (1869). The History of India from the Earliest Ages. Vol. II The Rámáyana and the Vedic period. N. Trubner & Co. p. 281.
  4. ^ "Sunderkand explanation" (PDF). sunderkandsatsangsamuh.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  5. ^ Das, Subhamoy. "The Ramayana". Learn Religions. Retrieved 12 May 2020. Summary by Stephen Knapp
  6. ^ "Ravana". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. ^ Vālmīki; Menon, Ramesh (26 May 2004). The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic. Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-86547-695-0.
  8. ^ a b c Pankaj, Bhavana (31 July 2019). "Where Ravana is Vishnu's true Bhakta". The Statesman. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b Aiyangar Narayan (1909) "Essays On Indo-Aryan Mythology-Vol.", p.413
  10. ^ a b "Cologne Scan". sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de.
  11. ^ The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Ayodhyākāṇḍa. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. 25 April 2007. p. 30. ISBN 9788120831636 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Hopkins, Edward Washburn (1915). Epic Mythology. Strassburg, DE: K.J. Trübner. p. 142.
  13. ^ "10 Names of Ravana". LifeStalker. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  14. ^ "When Ravana tore his head and a hand to apologize to Lord Shiva". www.mensxp.com. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  15. ^ Valmiki. Ramayana. Tulsidas. Vibhishana, Lanka Kanda; Samvaad, Rama (eds.). Ramcharitmanas.
  16. ^ Etteth, Ravi Shankar (4 March 2024). The Brahmin. Westland. ISBN 978-93-5776-137-6.
  17. ^ Dutta, Prabhash K. (10 October 2016). "Did you know? Ravana was born in Greater Noida West". India Today. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  18. ^ Rajarajan, R.K.K. (2018). "Woven Threads of the Rāmāyaṇa The Early Āḻvārs on Brahmā and Rāvaṇa". Romanian Journal of Indian Studies. 2: 9–45.
  19. ^ Manglik, Reshu (29 September 2017). "Happy Dussehra 2017: 11 important facts to know about Ravana, primary antagonist of epic Ramayana". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  20. ^ Rosen, Steven (2006). Essential Hinduism. Westport, Conn.: Praeger. pp. 68–69. ISBN 0-275-99006-0. OCLC 70775665.
  21. ^ a b Kala pp. 38–42
  22. ^ Rathore, Vinod (29 June 2020). "Know the unique story of Ravana's devotion to Shiva". News Track. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  23. ^ a b Mittal, J.P. (2006). History of Ancient India (a new version: From 7300 BC to 4250 BC. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 200. ISBN 978-81-269-0615-4.
  24. ^ Nagar, Shanti Lal. Genesis and Evolution of the Rāma Kathā in Indian Art, Thought, Literature, and Culture: From the earliest period to modern times. Vol. 2.
  25. ^ Chākyār, Māni Mādhava (1996). Nātyakalpadrumam. New Delhi, IN: Sangeet Natak Akademi. p. 6.
  26. ^ a b Ninan, M.M. (23 June 2008). The Development of Hinduism. Madathil Mammen Ninan. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-4382-2820-4.
  27. ^ a b https://www.valmikiramayan.net/
  28. ^ Doniger, Wendy (March 2014). On Hinduism. OUP USA. p. 535. ISBN 978-0-19-936007-9.
  29. ^ Vālmīki (2007). The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India. Araṇyakāṇḍa. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 393. ISBN 978-81-208-3164-3.
  30. ^ a b "Ravana has his temples, too". Spectrum. The Sunday Tribune. 21 October 2007.
  31. ^ Vachaspati, S. (2005). Ravana Brahma. Tenali, India: Rudrakavi Sahitya Peetham, Gandhi Nagar.
  32. ^ Dave, Kamalesh Kumar (2008). Dashanan (in Hindi). Jodhpur, India: Akshaya Jyotish Anusandan Kendra.
  33. ^ Siddiqui, Faiz (10 October 2016). "A temple where demon king has his day". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Only the elderly come to mourn Ravana in 'birthplace' Bisrakh". The Indian Express. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  35. ^ People of India. Vol. 4: A–G. Oxford University Press. p. 3061.
  36. ^ "Mathura lawyer seeks ban on burning of Ravana effigies". The Indian Express. 26 September 2017.
  37. ^ Qureshi, Siraj (12 October 2016). "A Dussehra without burning Ravana: This Brahmin community in Agra wants an end to practice". India Today.
  38. ^ "[no title cited]". Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. 15. I.B. Corporation.
  39. ^ Rashid, Omar (24 October 2015). "Celebrating Ravan". The Hindu.
  40. ^ a b c d e "Five temples of Ravana in India where demon king is worshipped". India TV. 11 October 2016.
  41. ^ a b "Unique Ravana temples in India". Travel guide. Native Planet. 27 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Dussehra 2018: What is the significance Of Ravana Dahan?". Dehli news. NDTV.com. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  43. ^ "Sri Lankan revives Ravana's musical instrument". The Island. Sri Lanka. 9 March 2008.
  44. ^ Vyas, Lallan Prasad. Prachi Darshan. p. 98.
  45. ^ Sharma, S.R. (1940). Jainism and Karnataka Culture. Dharwar, IN: Karnatak Historical Research Society. p. 76.
  46. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An alphabetical guide. Penguin Books India. p. 338. ISBN 9780143414216.
  47. ^ Ramanujan, A.K. (1991). "Three hundred Rāmāyaṇas: Five examples and Three thoughts on Translation". In Paula Richman (ed.). Many Rāmāyaṇas: The diversity of a narrative tradition in south Asia. University of California Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-520-07589-4.
  48. ^ Pandian, M.S.S. (2 November 1998). "Ravana as antidote". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  49. ^ Nalankilli, Thanjai (April 2006). "Censorship of Dravidian voices in Tamil Nadu (India) in 1948, 1949". Tamil Tribune. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018.
  50. ^ Sivapriyan, E.T.B. (5 August 2020). "Ram Temple: Tamilians praise Ravana on Twitter". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  51. ^ Yamunan, Sruthisagar (6 July 2019). "Why Sri Lanka named its first-ever satellite after Ravana". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Zee TV enters new genre with 'Ravan' on Saturdays at 9". Indiantelevision.com. 16 November 2006.
  53. ^ "Amish Tripathi's 'Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta' hits stands". Business Standard. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  54. ^ "Amish Tripathi's 'Raavan- Enemy of Aryavarta' to release in July". The Times of India. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  55. ^ "Excerpt: Raavan; Enemy of Aryavarta by Amish". Hindustan Times. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.

Bibliography

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Preceded by Emperor of Lanka Succeeded by
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