Interesting and Lesser Known Facts about Ravan

So, what did come in your mind when you read the name ‘Ravan’? All his sins that he committed in his life would have surely come to your mind. But do you know about him? I bet that you don’t! There are so many Interesting and Lesser Known Facts about Ravan that many don’t know and judge him on what he has been depicted in the ‘Ramayana’. There are many facts that all his haters must know. So, go on reading the post to know those interesting facts about him.

Interesting and Lesser Known Facts about Ravan

1. Like in the modern world, if you compare Ravan and Ram, then let me tell you that Ram was of lower rank. Ram belonged to Kshatriya family while Ravan being the son of Rishi Vaishrava and grandson of Pulatsya, belonged to a Brahmin family.
   
2. Ravan has great knowledge of God, generally called as Brahma-gyan. Because he was a Brahmin, Ram had to wash away through prayer and penance because he killed Ravan and committed the sin of Brahminicide called Brahma-hatya-paap generally.
   
3. Ravan has been the greatest devotee of Shiva. In praise of Shiva, Rudra Stotra was was composed by him. He also designed Rudra-Vina using his body parts to praise the ascetic-god, Lord Shiva.
   
4. Dashagriva or Dashanana (demon with ten heads) was the childhood name of Ravan. He obtained his name Ravan after he tried to dislocate Mount Kailash while Lord Shiva was meditating on it. In the incident, he got his forearms crushed and went away screaming in agony and hence, got the name Ravan (one who screams).
   
5. King Anaranya was killed by Ravan. King Anaranya belonged to Ikshawku dynasty and to know, Lord Ram belonged to the same dynasty. At that time, King Anaranya cursed Ravan that he would be killed by the son of King Dashratha.
   
6. Balidweepa (today’s Bali), Malayadweep (Malaysia), Yavadweepa, Varahdweepa, Angadweepa, Shankhadweepa, Kushadweepa and Andhralaya all were under Ravan’s reign.
   
7. Ravan could predict the happenings of the future. He already knew that he was destined to be killed by Ram. Still he fought, for the sake of Dharma. It is believed that he shared his astrology knowledge in ‘Ravan Sanhita’.
   
8. All the ten heads of Ravan represented his knowledge of six shastras and 4 vedas and also all his ten heads had a significance each i.e., Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (delusion), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride), Maatsyasya (envy), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (will) and Ahamkara (the ego).
   
9. Ravan never touched Sita. He was always in his limits and he kidnapped her only to take the revenge of his sister’s plight. He never killed his brother Vibhisan who was a traitor but only exiled him.
   

Ravan was a great scholar and a true devotee of Lord Shiva. In India, there are temples devoted to Ravan for his being. The above incidents clearly say that was an ideal villain to Maryada Purushottam Ram as he never let go of his own dharma.

Did all this change your point of view regarding Ravan? Do let me know!