When one reads or listens to the story of the Ramayana, one wonders why Ravana have ten heads? In order to understand this incredible fact, one has to go to the origin of Ravana. Ravana’s grandfather was a Rakshas. His name was Sumilah was the leader of the Rakshasas, who considered themselves guardian of the forest way of life. This way of life was one of extreme cunning and one had to be strong. They had no code of conduct. The rakshasas did not perform Tapasya or Yagnas. They lived in the present.
However, all this changed, when Sumali met Kubera. Kubera was the chieftain of the Yakshas. Yakshas are usually benevolent spirits that protect natural treasures in the earth and tree roots. You can imagine them like gnomes or fairies. They can also be dark and malevolent looking. They spend their time teasing and harassing mortals. They can cast spells by enchanting lakes, rivers and forests. They waylaid travelers. They can also be described as ghosts (Bhutas). Kubera had built a city of gold called Lanka, on the island of Trikuta. He had a flying chariot called pushpak viman and he travelled the world.
Child of Kaidasi and Vishrava
Sumali learnt that Kubera’s mother was a Yaksha, and his father was Rishi Vishrava. Kubera learnt about Tapasya, Yagnas and acquired knowledge about the Vedas. From this knowledge, Kubera acquired untold wealth. Sumali also desired to have a child as brilliant and powerful like Kubera. He requested his daughter, Kaikasi to have a child from Vishrava. Ravana was the outcome.
Rishi Vishrava taught Ravana all that he knew about the Vedas, and all the spiritual practices. Ravana was so brilliant that all his jnana that he received, could not be accommodated in one head. He grew ten heads and twenty arms.
Ravana’s grandfather, Sumali was constantly comparing Ravana to Kubera. Ravana wished to be more powerful than Kubera. And this led to Ravana trying harder and harder to be the most powerful. Kartivirya had a thousand arms, and he had only twenty. Vali, the king of the monkeys’ tail was stronger than all of Ravana’s arms.
A crescent shaped sword
Ravana was now a very learned person with immense Shakti. He prayed to Brahma, and he was granted a pot of nectar, which he hid in his navel. He was invincible. No body could kill him. He next went to Shiva, and he cut off one of his heads and created a lute out of it. This lute is called Rudra-Veena. Ravana composed a raga, called Amrutvarshini. This raga invoked the mercy of the gods. Shiva gave him a crescent shaped sword called ‘Chandrahasa.Chandrahasa’ would never allow Ravana to lose in a battle.
Ravana went on a rampage. He defeated Kubera and became ruler of Lanka and became master of the flying chariot.
The story of Ravana is very riveting story, but it shows what happens when one is consumed with the desire of possession. One forgets all the wisdom one gained by having knowledge of the Vedas and using the powers of Tapasya and Yagnas for one’s own advancement. It was Ravana’s greed and envy which led to his destruction and death.
Reference: ‘Sita’ by Devdutt Pattanaik
Aim Hrim Klim
Scan/photo by: User: Henryart (who is owner of the original painting/object/photo) – CC BY-SA 2.0