The embodiment of the evil virtues and the great intellect king of Lanka Ravana devotee of lord Shiva is still the most powerful antagonist ever to exist.
He was well versed in the four Vedas and six Puranas. He was given the blessing of Lord Brahma and Shiva by undertaking stringent austerity.
Under the guidance of Guru Shukracharya, he studied Aradhastra (Political Science) and possessed various celestial weapons, which he had obtained through hard penance.
When he abducted Sita, Lord Rama’s virtuous wife. He came to Lanka to rescue her, and thus the most vicious war of Ramayana was fought.
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King of Lanka Ravana Devotee of Lord Shiva Biography
| Full Name | Dashagriva (Ten-necked) |
| Father | Vishrava, son of Pulastya, a Prajapati |
| Mother | Kaikesi, daughter of Rakshasa king Sumali |
| Siblings | Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Surpanakha |
| Wives | Mandodari (chief queen), Sulochana, Vedavati |
| Children | Meghanada (Indrajit), Akshayakumara, Atikaya |
| Reign and Accomplishments | 1. King of Lanka, a prosperous island kingdom of Rakshasas 2. Powerful ruler and warrior, known for his ten heads and twenty arms 3. Master of illusion and deception, skilled in various forms of magic 4. Possessor of the divine bow Chandrahasa and the powerful Pushpaka vimana (flying chariot) 5. Conquered many kingdoms and celestial realms, expanding his empire |
| Conflicts and Downfall | 1. Abducted Sita, wife of Rama, Prince of Ayodhya, leading to the epic Ramayana war 2. Defeated by Rama in a fierce battle that lasted for several days 3. Killed by Rama with an arrow through his heart |
| Additional Information | 1. Though often portrayed as a villain, Ravana was also a complex and intelligent figure. 2. He was a scholar and patron of the arts, with deep knowledge of Vedas and other scriptures. 3. He possessed immense physical strength and magical powers, making him a formidable opponent. 4. Despite his misdeeds, Ravana’s death is mourned by his loyal subjects and family. |
He was born to the great sage Vishrava and Rakshasa, princess of Kaikesi in Treta-Yuga. Vishrava’s father, Putastya, was one of the Saptarshi (the brain-born sons of Brahma) while Kaikesi was the daughter of Sumalis and Kethumathi.
Sumali played a critical role in making Ravana King of Lanka. It was on his advice that Ravana performed strenuous efforts to get a boon from Brahma and defeat his half-brother Kubera to establish the rule of Rakshasa.
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Ravana had Seven Brothers and two Sisters
1. Kubera, his elder brother, the King of the North
2. Kumbhakarna, who, along with Ravana, also received the blessing of Brahma and was deceived into asking for everlasting sleep. Concerned about his brother, Ravana asked Brahma to change the boon and mitigated it to sleep for six months and six months of being awake.
3. Vibhishana, who has played a significant role in Ramayana
4. King of Khara, Janasthan
5. Dushana, the twin brother of Khara and Viceroy of Janasthan
6. Ahiraravan
7. Sahastra Ravana
8. Sisters – Kumnhini, known as Madhu; Lavanasura
9. Sisters – Shurupanakha
Ravana King of Lanka had many wives, and Mandodari was the most prominent of them. The daughter of the Celestial Architect Dhanyamalini and his third wife, Mandodari, is often compared to the goddess Sita for being a virtuous woman.
Ravana had six sons — Meghnath, Atikaya, Akshay Kumar, Narantaka, Devantaka, and Trishira. In Meghnath Bodh Kavya Beerbahu is also listed as one of Ravan’s sons.
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Brahma’s Boon to Ravana
After 11,000 years of hard penance on Mt. Gokarna, Ravana, along with brother Kumbhkarana, pleased Lord Brahma. Brahma decided to give him a boon.
He pleaded for immorality, but Brahma denied it because it was contrary to the rule of nature.
Ravana Devotee of Lord Shiva, King of Lanka then asked for super-power and invincibility against all Brahma creations, including Gods, Heavenly Beings, Ashurs, Wild Animals, and Serpents, except human beings.
He assumed that no human being was capable of defeating him.
After receiving the boon from Brahma, Ravana conquered several kingdoms and marched toward the Lanka which was under the control of Kuber, Ravana’s elder half-brother.
He threatened to take the kingdom by force. Vishrava advised Kubera to hand over the kingdom to Ravan, as the Brahma’s boon had made him invincible.
Though taken by force, the Kingdom of Lanka flourished under the rule of Ravana Devotee of Lord Shiva.
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Ravana Great Devotee of Lord Shiva
Image Source: Twitter
It is said that once Ravana attempted to lift the Kailash mountain. Lord Shiva saw the pride of the King and pushed the mountain on Ravana with his toe.
For thousands of years, he remained trapped under the mountain. During that period, he realized the divine powers of Lord Shiva and became a lifetime devotee of his.
In praise of Lord Shiva, he composed a poetic masterpiece “Shiv Tandav Strotum” admiring the glorious state of Shiva performing tandav.
Pleased by the devotion of Ravana, Lord Shiva liberated him from his captivity and gave him the extraordinary sword of Chandrahasa and a powerful Linga to worship.
It is believed that Lord Shiva then gave the popular name “Ravana” meaning “Terrorizing Cry,” as the ground shook at Ravana’s cry.
Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. During worship, he used to offer his head to him.
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Ravana`s Significance in Ramayana
During Lord Rama’s exile with Sita and Laxman in the forest, Surupnakha, Ravan’s sister, tried to seduce them and insisted on marrying her relentlessly.
Laxman got pissed and cut off her nose. She was ashamed of the incident and reported it to Ravana. Furious at the state of his sister’s Ravan, he conceived a plot to kidnap Sita.
Through the magical power, his servant Marich turned into a golden deer. When Sita saw a lovely deer, she asked Rama and Laxman to get it for her.
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They went to find the deer, leaving Sita unprotected. Ravana took advantage of this opportunity and approached Sita disguised as a Brahmin.
Sita, unaware of Brahmin’s truth, came out of the Laxman Rekha, and Ravan abducted her and took her to Lanka in his flying vehicle.
When Lord Rama came to know that the King of Lanka had abducted his wife, with the help of Sugreev’s vanar sena (monkey army) he decided to attack Lanka.
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At first, Rama asked Ravan to resolve the disparity by returning Sita and apologizing to him and his wife. Intoxicated by his ego, Ravana rejected the proposal.
Hence, the epic battle, which lasted thirteen days, was fought. Vibhishana, who was Ravana’s brother, knew that what Ravana had done was wrong and tried to persuade him to return Sita and apologize for his actions.
Ravana got furious and threw Vibhishana out of his ministry. Vibhishana joined Rama’s army and supported him by providing crucial details on Ravana’s army.
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Ravana & his Nectar of Immortality
It is believed that Ravana possessed eternal nectar in his belly. Because of this, he was able to recover every portion of his body, let alone his many heads. His army was more powerful than Rama in terms of number and strength.
Asurs (fighting for Ravana) had infinite powers and celestial weapons. Still, Rama managed to drag his army to the brink of defeat, and the only thing left was defeating Ravana.
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After many failed attempts, he came to know about the immortal nectar contained in his belly through Vibhishana. He aimed his arrow at Ravana’s middle part, vanishing the nectar, and thus the mighty villain met his end.
Even after his many evil deeds, Ravana Devotee of Lord Shiva is worshiped in many parts of the world for his indomitable strength, greatness, intelligence, and devotion.
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King of Lanka Ravana Devotee of Lord Shiva: FAQ
What was the Ravana Sword Name
Chandrahasa
Pleased by the devotion of Ravana, Lord Shiva liberated him from his captivity and gave him the extraordinary sword of Chandrahasa and a powerful Linga to worship.
What is the Significance of 10 Heads of Ravana
Ravana had 10 heads and 20 arms. His ten heads represent his 10 qualities, which are:
1. Kama (lust)
2. Krodha (anger)
3. Moha (delusion)
4. Lobha (greed)
5. Mada (pride)
6. Maatsyasya (envy)
7. Manas (mind)
8. Buddhi (intellect)
9. Chitta (will)
10. Ahamkara (the ego)
Shiv Tandav Stotram by Ravana
जटाटवीगलज्जल प्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजंगतुंगमालिकाम्।
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमनिनादवड्डमर्वयं
चकार चंडतांडवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम ॥1॥
जटा कटा हसंभ्रम भ्रमन्निलिंपनिर्झरी ।
विलोलवी चिवल्लरी विराजमानमूर्धनि ।
धगद्धगद्ध गज्ज्वलल्ललाट पट्टपावके
किशोरचंद्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं ममं ॥2॥
धरा धरेंद्र नंदिनी विलास बंधुवंधुर-
स्फुरदृगंत संतति प्रमोद मानमानसे ।
कृपाकटा क्षधारणी निरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
कवचिद्विगम्बरे मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ॥3॥
जटा भुजं गपिंगल स्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा-
कदंबकुंकुम द्रवप्रलिप्त दिग्वधूमुखे ।
मदांध सिंधु रस्फुरत्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदद्भुतं बिंभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ॥4॥
सहस्र लोचन प्रभृत्य शेषलेखशेखर-
प्रसून धूलिधोरणी विधूसरांघ्रिपीठभूः ।
भुजंगराज मालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः
श्रिये चिराय जायतां चकोर बंधुशेखरः ॥5॥
ललाट चत्वरज्वलद्धनंजयस्फुरिगभा-
निपीतपंचसायकं निमन्निलिंपनायम् ।
सुधा मयुख लेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महा कपालि संपदे शिरोजयालमस्तू नः ॥6॥
कराल भाल पट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल-
द्धनंजया धरीकृतप्रचंडपंचसायके ।
धराधरेंद्र नंदिनी कुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक-
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने मतिर्मम ॥7॥
नवीन मेघ मंडली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुर-
त्कुहु निशीथिनीतमः प्रबंधबंधुकंधरः ।
निलिम्पनिर्झरि धरस्तनोतु कृत्ति सिंधुरः
कलानिधानबंधुरः श्रियं जगंद्धुरंधरः ॥8॥
प्रफुल्ल नील पंकज प्रपंचकालिमच्छटा-
विडंबि कंठकंध रारुचि प्रबंधकंधरम्
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिंद भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमंतकच्छिदं भजे ॥9॥
अगर्वसर्वमंगला कलाकदम्बमंजरी-
रसप्रवाह माधुरी विजृंभणा मधुव्रतम् ।
स्मरांतकं पुरातकं भावंतकं मखांतकं
गजांतकांधकांतकं तमंतकांतकं भजे ॥10॥
जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रम भ्रमद्भुजंगमस्फुर-
द्धगद्धगद्वि निर्गमत्कराल भाल हव्यवाट्-
धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमि नन्मृदंगतुंगमंगल-
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्ड ताण्डवः शिवः ॥11॥
दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजंग मौक्तिकमस्रजो-
र्गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्टयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः ।
तृणारविंदचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे ॥12॥
कदा निलिंपनिर्झरी निकुजकोटरे वसन्
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमंजलिं वहन्।
विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन्कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥13॥
निलिम्प नाथनागरी कदम्ब मौलमल्लिका-
निगुम्फनिर्भक्षरन्म धूष्णिकामनोहरः ।
तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनींमहनिशं
परिश्रय परं पदं तदंगजत्विषां चयः ॥14॥
प्रचण्ड वाडवानल प्रभाशुभप्रचारणी
महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनी जनावहूत जल्पना ।
विमुक्त वाम लोचनो विवाहकालिकध्वनिः
शिवेति मन्त्रभूषगो जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥15॥
इमं हि नित्यमेव मुक्तमुक्तमोत्तम स्तवं
पठन्स्मरन् ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धमेति संततम्।
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नांयथा गतिं
विमोहनं हि देहना तु शंकरस्य चिंतनम ॥16॥
पूजाऽवसानसमये दशवक्रत्रगीतं
यः शम्भूपूजनमिदं पठति प्रदोषे ।
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेंद्रतुरंगयुक्तां
लक्ष्मी सदैव सुमुखीं प्रददाति शम्भुः ॥17॥
Who is Ravana
The embodiment of the evil virtues and the great intellects- Ravana, the king of Lanka, is still the most powerful antagonist ever to exist. Ravana was killed by lord Rama.
Was Ravana real
Yes,
There is much evidence of that time in Sri Lanka and India. Rama Setu is the biggest proof alive and visible mention in this epic.
Did ravana attend sita swayamvar
Yes
Ravana attend sita swayamvar. ravana was an uninvited guest in the swayamvar. He could not win the swamyawar because war was full of ego at that time. The person full of ego could not lift the great Bow of lord shiva.
How did Ravana kidnap Sita
1. Ravana ordered his servant Marich to turn into a golden deer and took Rama & Laxman away from their hut in Panchvati.
2. When Rama goes behind the golden deer, Marich manages to get Laxamana away from the hut.
3. Then easily ravana went in the form of Sadhu to get food and managed to get Sita away from the hut.
4. Then he kidnap sita.
Where is Ravana Palace located in Sri Lanka?
At the top of Trikuta Mountain
It is believed that Ravana palace was located in Sri Lanka at the top of Trikuta mountain in the ancient city of Lankapura.
How many days of war between Rama and Ravana
Seven days
It is believed that the war between Rama and Ravana was fought for seven days. He aimed his arrow at Ravana’s middle part, vanishing the nectar, and thus the mighty villain met his end.
Is Ravana worshipped in Sri Lanka
No
In Sri Lanka, people do not pray for him as a god but they respect Ravana as a great king.
What happened to Surpanakha after Ravana death
Surpanakha stayed in Lanka after the death of Ravana with his brother Vibhishana and her sister Kumbini. They were found dead in the sea in unfavorable circumstances.
How many siblings Ravana had
9
1. Kuber
2. Kumbhakarna
3. Vibhishana
4. Janasthan
5. Dushana
6. Ahiravana
7. Sahastra Ravana
8. Kumnhini
9. Shurpanakha
What is Ravana sibling name
1. Kuber
2. Kumbhakarna
3. Vibhishana
4. Janasthan
5. Dushana
6. Ahiravana
7. Sahastra Ravana
8. Kumnhini
9. Shurpanakha
How Rama killed Ravana
After many failed attempts, he came to know about the immortal nectar contained in his belly through Vibhishana. He aimed his arrow at Ravana’s middle part, vanishing the nectar, and thus the mighty villain met his end.
Who is Ravana father name
Vishrava
Vishrava, he was a Brahman, sadhu.
Why does Ravana have 10 heads?
Ravana worships for Brahma to get powers from them. But Brahma did not listen to his prayers. So, Ravana offered his head to Brahma. Every time Ravana offers his head and cuts it down, his head comes back to his place. Ravana offered his head 10 times so Brahma gave his 10 heads in blessing.
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