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Questions tagged [ravana]

Rāvaṇa is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

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34 votes
3 answers
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How did Goddess Sita protect herself in Ravana's palace?

Ravana abducted Goddess Sita with evil intentions to marry her. But he didn't step forward to do so. What protected Goddess Sita from Ravana for more than six months (as far as I know) in Ravana's ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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29 votes
3 answers
9k views

Was Ravana actually a villain? Or was he a devotee of Lord Vishnu?

Ravana was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Siva. He also worshiped Lord Brahma and the two of them had given him enormous powers. Among the Trimurthis, only Lord Vishnu punished him as Lord Rama. ...
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26 votes
5 answers
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When was Ravana hit by the Sudarshana Chakra?

[Note: To be clear, I am not asking why Ravana wouldn't be harmed or killed by the Sudarshana Chakra; that's obvious. I'm asking why and under what circumstances Vishnu launched the Sudarshana Chakra ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
23 votes
1 answer
29k views

Ages of Ramayana's characters

I have not found any specific reference in the Ramayana about: What was the age of Dasharatha when Lord Rama was born? What was the age difference amongst the four brothers (Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata ...
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22 votes
1 answer
60k views

Why did Laxman get injured by Indrajit's 'shakti' weapon?

In Ramayana, Indrajit was able to hit Laxman by his special weapon named Shakti. Due to this Laxman went very near to death. Now Lord Hanuman went to Himalaya & brought Sanjivani. This way Laxman ...
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20 votes
1 answer
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What did Kashyapa do with the Earth after he received it from Parashurama?

Parashurama is a famous avatara (incarnation) of Vishnu who killed the Kshatriyas (kings) of the world twenty-one times. Since he had defeated all the rulers of the world, he obtained control of the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
17 votes
4 answers
14k views

Why did only Lord Rama kill Ravana?

As we know there were many people who could have killed Ravana, like Lord Hanuman and Jambavan. But they didn't kill Ravana. Only Lord Rama did. Why?
Mr_Green's user avatar
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17 votes
1 answer
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Which Scripture mentions the famous Shiva Tandava Stotram?

Shiva Tandava Stotram is a hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva and it describes the daily evening dance of Tandava. It also poetically describes destroying aspects of Shiva. Shiva Tandava Stotram mentioned ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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16 votes
1 answer
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How did Ravana get the golden city of Lanka?

In the Ramayana, we know that Ravana was the King of the golden city of Lanka. How did he get this city? I know very little other than that it was offered by Shiva.
Mr_Green's user avatar
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16 votes
3 answers
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Why didn't Ravana use the Chandrahasa sword against Lord Rama?

From http://ramayana.tigercoder.com/07uttara/uttara_016.html: “After being spoken to in this way by Lord Shiva, Ravana, the lord of Lanka replied: ‘O Lord Shiva, if you are pleased with me, grant ...
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15 votes
3 answers
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Did Ravana have ten heads?

Did Ravana really have ten heads? Or is it a mythical concept? If he really had ten heads, who gave him this and what is the story behind it?
Kiran RS's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
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Is sitting on a camel in a dream inauspicious?

Currently I am reading Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. In this kanda, there is a sarga/chapter named Trijata Swapnam meaning the dream of the ogre Trijata. She narrates her dream to other ogres and ...
Sarvabhouma's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
1k views

Different Ramayanas

I have heard different tales of Ramayana while travelling to different parts of India. The basic story remains the same but slight differences do exist. What really concerns me is the way Ravan ...
You_Shall_Not_Pass's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
10k views

Why did Sita have a past life?

Sita is the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi and is said to have been the reincarnation of Vedavati, also an incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi. The story about Vedavati seems like only a prelude ...
Suhasini's user avatar
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14 votes
2 answers
6k views

Did Ravana ever attack the Ikshvaku king Dasharatha?

During the final stages of the great war, between Lord Sri Rama(and army consisting of brother Lakshmana and vanaras) and Ravana( and his demon soldiers), Ravana could foresee his final defeat at the ...
Uday Krishna's user avatar
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14 votes
1 answer
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What was the memory/rivalry of Ravana with Bali's son Bana?

In Valmiki Ramayana Sundarakanda, Ravana's son Indrajeet captures Hanuman using Brahmastra. Then he was summoned in Ravana's court. Ravana who was greatly angered due to the destruction of his ...
Sarvabhouma's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
7k views

Was Ravana not able to lift Pinaka aka 'The Shiva Dhanush'?

As per the Ramanand Sagar Serial during Sita swayamvar, Ravana along with Rama and other kings visited Swayamvar. But none other than Rama was able to lift the Shiva Dhanush. Is it true?
Trikaldarshiii's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

What was the reward given by Sri Rama to Jatayu for fighting Ravana?

Jatayu has a very significant place in the Ramayana epic. When Jatayu saw the mighty Ravana abducting Sita {Goddess Lakshmi} he put up a courageous fight to free Sita {Goddess Lakshmi}, from the all ...
Uday Krishna's user avatar
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12 votes
6 answers
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Weapon with which Rama killed Ravana

In the Ramayana war, Rama killed Ravana with a weapon given to him by sage Vasishtha. What was the name of the weapon?
Indu Bhusan Nath's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
7k views

Was Ravana a vegetarian?

Ravan was half-brahmin and half-demon.His father,the great rishi Vishrava belonged to the Pulastya clan and mother Kaikasi originated from the asura clan.Since he was a brahmin and was the greatest ...
Elfin forest's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
3k views

Did Ravan speak Sanskrit?

One of my Sri Lankan friends claims that Ravana spoke Sinhalese. Is there any place in the Ramayana where the sage Valmiki mentioned about the language of Ravana and his people?
sushma's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
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Why did Lord Rama give a second chance to Ravana, but not to Vali?

In Ramayana, Lord Rama gave a chance to Ravana to surrender and sent Angada as his ambassador for peace conciliation. This was because mercy befits a warrior. Why didn't Rama, for the same reason, ...
doptimusprime's user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
2k views

Negative Characterisitcs of Women - Ravana

Women are generally loving and we worship women in the form of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati, Durga and others. Our scriptures also tell us to respect women. However, this YouTube video says that some ...
onephys's user avatar
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12 votes
3 answers
4k views

How did lord Rama perform penance for Ravana after killing him?

In this video, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva says that Shri Rama performed 1 year penance in Himalayas for killing Ravana, who was a great devotee of lord Shiva. Is it true? If yes, then how did he do ...
iammilind's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
6k views

Did Rama really send Lakshmana to receive wisdom from Ravana after his fall in war?

When Ravana was dying in the battlefield after getting hit by Lord Rama, Lord Rama sent Lakshmana to Ravana. Ravana and Lakshmana had some conversation. What was it all about?
Kedarnath's user avatar
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11 votes
4 answers
24k views

What is the story behind Kumbhakarna's sleep?

I've heard a lot about the Sleep Lover, Kumbhakarna. Why was he sleeping for so many days continuously? Is there a story behind this?
Kiran RS's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
6k views

How many wives did Ravana have?

Is Mandodari the only wife of Ravana? Or did he have other wives too? If he had more than one wife, then why is only Mandodari famous? In which scripture(s) are others mentioned? What are the names ...
Kailash Chandra Polai's user avatar
11 votes
0 answers
136 views

Was Seeta ji born as a blessing from Shiva?

We know that Shri Rama took birth to rid the three worlds of the tyranny of Ravana. But I recently came across a verse in the Valmiki Ramayan that says that Seeta was also born for the same purpose! ...
Dr. Vineet Aggarwal's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
5k views

Did Ravana ever meet Parashurama?

Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and Parashurama is an avatar of Lord Vishnu and also a devotee of Lord Shiva. I know TV serials/comic stories are just baseless so I want to know if Ravana ...
Friendy's user avatar
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10 votes
4 answers
31k views

Ravana - Who were his parents and siblings?

Who were the parents of Ravana? What were the names of Ravana's brothers and sisters? And who is the real king of Lanka? Ravana or Vibhishana?
Rohit Azad Malik's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
5k views

How did Ravan get 10 heads? What are the names of those heads?

As Ravan had 10 heads, Does each head have individual names? Did Ravana got all names for his heads? How he had got 10 heads?
Kailash Chandra Polai's user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
16k views

How did Vali defeat Ravana? What's the story?

There is a mention in the Ramayana that Vali defeated Ravana badly. When and how did it happen? During the duel, why didn't Ravana use any of his divine weapons? I think Vali did not possess any ...
Indu Bhusan Nath's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
6k views

Who was goddess Sita's father? Why are there multiple stories? Which one should we believe?

There have been many accounts as to who actually was the father of goddess Sita. Contrary to what Valmiki's Ramayana says, some of them states that Sita was Ravana's first child whom he abandoned; ...
Vedantism's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
45k views

How many days did Ravana keep Sita confined?

How many days did Ravana keep Sita confined? I have searched many sites over the internet but wasn't able to find an answer to this question. Can anyone help me?
Sajeev C's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why Ravana of Ramayana is worshipped like god and also considered as a demon?

Why Ravana of Ramayana is worshipped like god and also considered as a demon? I know he was a great king who kept his kingdom and administration in an organized manner. He was also a Shiv bhakt. But ...
Aashish Kumar Shaw's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
2k views

What were the three good things Ravana thought to do?

I heard that Ravana thought to do some good things to this world, specifically three things. I remember only one which is removing salt from oceans and making the water drinkable. I heard that these ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
495 views

Raavana's dress code during abduction

Ravana came to seeta's place in disguise of an ascetic. I want to know exact description of what actually he looked like? From head to toe.
Rakesh Joshi's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
749 views

How do we reconcile Rama vs. Ravana and Krishna/Arjuna vs. Karna scenarios?

Comparing the two scenarios: Secnario 1: Rama has destroyed all of Ravana's weapons, chariot etc..and has him completely unarmed. However Rama sends him back to come the next day stating that it is ...
Lotus's user avatar
  • 517
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Did Ravana kill Brihaspati's brother?

As I discussed previously in this answer, this excerpt from the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana describes how a king named Marutha once had a Maheswara Yagna (Shiva ritual) performed, conducted by the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
5k views

What are the curses given to Ravana?

Ravana did many adharmas and got curses which let to the entire destruction of the asura race and him. QUESTION : How many curses were given to ravana and what were the reasons for giving them to ...
Sakthi's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
924 views

Where was Ravana born? Do we have any mention of Ravana's birth place in any Ramayana or Purana?

Where was Ravana born? Do we have any mention of Ravana's birthplace in any Ramayana or Purana?
Parthibaraj Rajasekar's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
5k views

Besides Sita, how many other women did Ravana kidnap?

I recently saw a spiritual TV episode on Sundara Kanda and in that the host said that prior to Sita, Ravana kidnapped 25 or so women (I can't recollect the exact number). Is this true? Could someone ...
Jagannath's user avatar
  • 191
9 votes
2 answers
5k views

Did Shree Hanuman have a child from Raavana's daughter SuvannaMaccha?

While reading about (legendary) creature called Mermaid, I stumbled upon 1 of the examples SuvarnaMaccha. While building Ramasetu, this daughter of Raavana was an obstacle, but later fell in (mutual) ...
iammilind's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
3k views

What happened to the Pushpak chariot taken by lord Rama?

It is said that Pushpak chariot was owned by lord Kubera. But later it was forcefully captured by Ravana and then lord Rama took the chariot in the war. And after the Ramayan war lord Rama brings it ...
Kailash Chandra Polai's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
8k views

Where did Ravan go after his death by lord Ram?

As ravan was killed by lord Ram, so he should go to heaven. I also read from some post Ravan took rebirth as another Rakhasa and killed by lord Krishna in Mahabharat. Why did Ravan not go to heaven? ...
Kailash Chandra Polai's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
9k views

What boons did Ravana receive from Lord Brahma?

In Ramayana, it is told that, Ravana, after performing many great penances, received powerful boons from Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. It is also said that he was protected by Goddess Durga's blessings ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
8 votes
1 answer
774 views

Where is the Panchvati mentioned in Ramayana located in present day India?

Is Panchvati in present day Nasik or in Parnashala? Where was Sita mata abducted by Ravana?
Chandra Rekha's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
7k views

Why does Lord Shiva fulfill wishes of evil people also?

Ravana was Lord Shiva's devotee. Lord Shiva was impressed with Ravana's tapasya and fulfilled his dream. My question is, Ravana was evil and took Sita from Rama, then why did Lord Shiva help him? I ...
Philip Fleming's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
5k views

Was Ravana not able to lift the Earrings of Hiranyakashipu?

This website says that Ravana was not able to lift the earrings of Hiranyakashipu. It says it was when Ravana went to Patala to take help of Maharaja Bali that this event happened. It says: So ...
Tezz's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
417 views

How did Hanuman know that Ravana abducted Sita?

Lakshmana did not tell the name of Ravana while introducing themselves and their situation to Hanuman and Lakshmana told the following to Hanuman "He who aspires to keep up the well-being of all ...
hanugm's user avatar
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