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 stepbrother Kuber, he proved to be the most influential Sri Lankan king ever. His reign over Sri Lanka is recorded as the most prosperous era in Lanka. Ravana was a great warrior of immeasurable courage. The gods feared him, he had won strategic boons by practising tough austerities most prosperous era of Lanka.
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.
DEVOUT FOLLOWER OF SHIVA.
Ravana is considered the most revered devotee of the Lord. He is said to have pleased Shiva with penance extent handed over an Atma Linga (Soul of Shiva) as a boon Ravana.
RAVANA WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY VEENA PLAYER.
In many depictions of Ravana, he can be seen carrying a veena. It is believed that he had a keen interest in music and was a highly accomplished veena player.
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.
A BRIGHT SCHOLAR.
Ravana was regarded as the most brilliant king who had a thorough knowledge of 4 Vedas and 6 Upanishads. The Scholar Ravana was a master of many sciences. He was well versed with Ayurveda. Ravana was also the greatest astrologer of his time
RAVANA WAS SO POWERFUL, THAT HE COULD EVEN INTERFERE WITH PLANETARY ALIGNMENTS.
During the birth of his son Meghnad, Ravan instructed planets to stay the house
RAVANA AIRWAYS
Ravana saw great advancements in science and medicine. The push para vimana or the aeroplane which he flew, was no figment of imagination, He was the first king to fly with his aeroplane, known as Dandumonaraya, Vimaanaya or Ahasthara.
RAVANA PERFORMED A YAGYA FOR RAM.
In one of the many versions of the Ramayana, it is said that once Ram’s army had created the bridge to Lanka, they needed to get Shiva’s blessing for which they set up a Yagya.
But the biggest bhakt of Shiva in the entire region was Ravan, and since he was half-brahman, he was also the best qualified to perform the Yagya. Displaying honour, Ravan actually showed up, performed the Yagya and gave Ram his blessing.
RAVANA WAS WELL AWARE OF HIS IMPENDING DOOM.
Most powerful Asuras (demons) knew that they were sent to earth to perform a particular role. Ravana knew that it was his fate to die at the hands of an avatar of Vishnu, something that would help him attain moksha and give up his demon form.
AS HE LAY DYING, RAVANA IMPARTED VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE TO LAKSHMAN.
“THINGS THAT ARE BAD FOR YOU SEDUCE YOU EASILY;
YOU RUN TOWARDS THEM IMPATIENTLY.
BUT THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU,
FAIL TO ATTRACT YOU, YOU SHUN THEM CREATIVELY
FINDING POWERFUL EXCUSES TO JUSTIFY YOUR PROCRASTINATION. “
As he lay dying, Ravana imparted valuable knowledge to Lakshman. Since Ravana was one of the most learned scholars to have ever lived, Ram asked his brother Lakshman to sit beside the dying demon king and learn from him important lessons in statecraft and diplomacy.
