Ravana - Epic Characters of Ramayana - E-book - ePub

Ravana was born to Kaikasi and Vishravasa, and Pulatsya (son of Prajapathi Brahma) was his grandfather. Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana were his brothers and Shoorpanakha was his sister. As he was born with ten heads, he was known as Dashagreeva, Dashanana, etc. He went to Gokarna with his brothers and performed such severe penance that Lord Brahma appeared before him and granted him a boon by virtue of which he would be immune to death at the hands of devas, danavas, yakshas, nagas and garuda.
He also got back his nine heads that he had offered to Brahma as well as the power to take any form he liked. Following Sumali's advice he demanded Lanka back from Kubera and waged war against him too. Later he married Mandodari and due to arrogance, came to be cursed by Nandikeshwara, one of Siva's followers, saying that his end would come at the hands of monkeys. He received the divine weapons, Shakthi and Chandrahasa.
He misbehaved with Vedavathi who swore that she would take birth again only to destroy him. He fought with many kings and this brought him to Ayodhya where again he fought with King Anaranya of the Ikshwaku dynasty. Before dying, the king proclaimed that Sri Rama of his dynasty would destroy him. Taking up Narada's challenge, he laid siege on Yamaloka. There was no end to his evil ways as he went about challenging, killing, fighting and reveling in his victories.
It was however left to Sri Rama, Lakshmana and the vanara warriors to bring about Ravana's end as well as the end of many other rakshasas.