Ravana is better known and remembered as the demon king who kidnapped Sita whom Rama defeated and killed, in a battle fought at Lanka.Ravana played his role as a villain, but it was that of a much-needed villain, that brought balance to the equation. No wonder there are many people in the world, who still worship him.
Here are few interesting facts about Ravana that show the other side of the demon-king of Lanka.
1. THE VILLAIN IS ALSO A GOD!:
Contrary to the belief, Ravana was not a cruel ruler. Although he took Sri Lanka by force from his step brother Kuber, he proved be the most influential Sri Lankan king ever. His reign over Sri Lanka is recorded as the most prosperous era of Lanka.
There are several places in India and Sri Lanka where Ravana is worshiped. In Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh there is a huge Shivalinga supposedly installed by Ravana himself. Both Shivalinga and Ravana are worshiped by the fishermen community there. There is one Ravana temple in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh while there is a Jain temple at Alvar in Rajasthan.Thousands of Kanyakubja Brahmins of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, perform daily puja(worship) in the Ravana temple and offer naivedyam / bhog(a ritual of sacrifice) to the Gods.
2. RAVANA WAS BRAHMA’S GREAT-GRANDSON.
Ravan’s father was the famous rishi, Visravas, who himself was a son of Prajapati Pulastya, one of Brahma’s ten ‘mind-born’ sons.
Ravana was born to great sage Vishrava and daitya princess Kaikesi which made him partly Brahmin and partly daitya.Inspite of he being a mix, Rama had praised Ravana as a Mahabrahmin and hence had to perform Ashwamedha Yagna to kill Ravana.
3. RAVANA PERFORMED A YAGYA FOR RAM.
Ravana performed the commencement puja for the Setu build by Rama and his army of monkeys and also blessed him, as he was only nearby most learned Pandit available.
As per Srilankan texts Ravana suggested auspicious time to Rama to begin the battle and blessed him Vijayi Bhava.
4. EVER WONDERED WHY RAVANA HAD 10 HEADS?
Some versions of the Ramayan say that Ravana did not in fact have ten heads, but it appeared so because his mother gave him a necklace of nine pearls that caused an optical illusion for any observer.
In another version, it is said that to please Shiva, Ravana hacked his own head into pieces, but his devotion made each piece spawn into another head.
5. BALI DEFEATED RAVANA
RAVANA was defeated by Bali, and was assaulted and imprisoned in his armpit for 6 months.
The story goes like this: One day, Bali was worshiping God Sun as usual. Ravan, boastful of his powers, after getting a ‘vardana’ by Lord Shiva challenges Bali. Bali, initially pays no heed, but after getting irritated grabs Ravan, tucks Ravan’s head under his armpit and flies like that. He releases Ravana only after 6 months, having taught him a lesson.
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