Ravana

Raavana is a complex and fascinating character, who has been portrayed in various ways by different sources. Here are some unknown facts about Raavana that you might find surprising:

• Raavana was not his original name. He was born as Dasagriva, meaning the one with ten heads. He got the name Raavana after he tried to lift Mount Kailasha, the abode of Lord Shiva, and was crushed by Shiva’s toe. Raavana screamed in pain, earning him the name Raavana, meaning the one who roars or screams.
• Raavana was half-Brahmin and half-demon. His father was Vishravas, a sage and a son of Brahma’s mind-born son Pulastya. His mother was Kaikesi, a princess of the Daityas (a clan of demons). Thus, Raavana was technically Brahma’s great-grandson.
• Raavana was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva. He composed many hymns in praise of Shiva and received many boons from him, including the invincible sword Chandrahasa and the nectar of immortality. He also installed a Shiva linga at Rameshwaram, which is still worshipped today.
• Raavana was a master of martial arts, music, astrology, and medicine. He was well-versed in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Puranas. He was also an expert in the Angampora martial art and a skilled veena player.
• Raavana had also tried to kill the monkey king Bali, who was performing prayer to the Sun God at a seashore. Bali was so powerful that he caught Raavana by his ten heads and tied him to his tail. He then dragged him around the world until he reached Kishkindha, his kingdom. There, he released Raavana after making him promise not to attack him again.
• Raavana had initially decided against abducting Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. He was advised by his friend Maricha, a shape-shifting demon, to avoid conflict with Rama, who had killed many of his relatives and soldiers. However, when his sister Surpanaka came to him with her nose cut off by Lakshmana, Rama’s brother, Raavana changed his mind and decided to take revenge by kidnapping Sita.
• Raavana performed a yagya (sacrificial ritual) for Lord Rama before the final battle. According to some versions of the Ramayana, Rama’s army needed Shiva’s blessing to cross the bridge to Lanka. Since Raavana was the greatest worshipper of Shiva in the region and also a Brahmin by birth, he was the best qualified to perform the yagya. He showed up at Rama’s camp and conducted the ritual with utmost sincerity and devotion.
• Raavana imparted valuable knowledge to Lakshmana as he lay dying on the battlefield. Rama asked his brother to sit beside Raavana and learn from him important lessons in statecraft and diplomacy, as he was one of the most learned scholars of his time. Lakshmana obliged and listened to Raavana’s wisdom.
• Raavana was so powerful that he could even interfere with planetary alignments. When his son Meghnad was born, he instructed the planets to stay in the 11th house of his horoscope, which would grant him immortality. However, Saturn (Shani) refused to do so and stood in the 12th house instead. This angered Raavana so much that he attacked Saturn with his mace and even imprisoned him for some time.
• Raavana knew that it was his fate to die by the hands of an avatar of Vishnu (Rama). Most demons were aware that they were sent to earth to perform a specific role in the cosmic drama. Raavana knew that by fighting with Rama, he would attain moksha (liberation) and give up his demon form.

I hope you enjoyed these facts about Raavana. He was not just a villain, but also a hero in his own right. He had many admirable qualities as well as flaws. He was a man of contradictions and paradoxes.

Thank you for reading! 🙂