Dussehra 2025: 10 Interesting Facts About Ravana

Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka in the epic Ramayana, is often remembered as the demon who kidnapped Sita and was defeated by Lord Rama. But there is much more to his story. He was a great scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and a man of immense knowledge and power. Let’s explore some amazing facts about Ravana that reveal his other side.

Dussehra 2025

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus across India. It marks the victory of good over evil and comes at the end of the nine-day festival of Navratri. The date of Dussehra changes every year according to the Hindu calendar. In 2025, Dussehra will be celebrated on 2nd October, which falls on the tenth day of the Kartik month.

10 Interesting Facts About Ravana

Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka in the epic Ramayana, is often seen as a villain. But beyond his negative image, he was a scholar, musician, and devotee with many unique qualities. Here are 10 interesting facts about him.

How Ravana Got His Name?

Ravana was originally called Dashananda, meaning the one with ten heads. Later, when he tried to lift Mount Kailash to bring Lord Shiva to Lanka, Shiva pressed the mountain down with his toe, crushing Ravana’s hand. In pain, Ravana let out a loud roar. Impressed by his devotion, Shiva named him Ravana, which means “the one who roars.”

A Scholar and Teacher Till the End

Ravana was not only powerful but also highly knowledgeable in the Vedas, astrology, and scriptures. Even during his last moments after being defeated by Rama, he shared his wisdom with Lakshmana. This shows that despite being an enemy, his knowledge was respected.

Ravana and the Pushpak Vimana

Ravana owned the legendary flying chariot, the Pushpak Vimana. He had mastered the art of flying it without assistance. Ancient texts also mention that he had several landing spots in Sri Lanka, which are still remembered as “airports” today.

Master of Music and Arts

Ravana was a skilled musician and played the Veena beautifully. In fact, he is believed to have designed a unique instrument called Rudra Veena. His devotion to music showed that he was not only a warrior but also an artist at heart.

The Story of Ravana and Shani Dev

Ravana was so powerful that he even tried to control the planets. At the time of his son Meghnad’s birth, he ordered all planets to align favorably. But when Shani (Saturn) refused, Ravana imprisoned him. This tale highlights both his strength and his arrogance.

Ravana and Kumbhakarna: Cursed Gatekeepers

According to Hindu mythology, Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were originally the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu named Jaya and Vijaya. Due to a curse, they were born on Earth as demons and became enemies of Lord Vishnu in three lifetimes. In one of these births, they were Ravana and Kumbhakarna.

Jain Version of Ramayana

Interestingly, in the Jain version of Ramayana, Ravana is said to be the father of Sita and also portrayed as someone against caste discrimination. This version even mentions that Ravana was killed by Lakshmana instead of Rama. Such stories show how Ravana’s image changes in different traditions.

The Curse that Led to His Death

Long before his battle with Rama, Ravana had fought with King Anarnay of the Raghu dynasty. Before dying, Anarnay cursed Ravana that one of his descendants would kill him. Later, Lord Rama, who belonged to the same lineage, fulfilled this curse.

Ravana Knew His Fate

Ravana was aware that he would be killed by Lord Vishnu’s avatar. Still, he accepted his destiny as it meant liberation from his demon form and union with the divine. This shows that deep within, Ravana was also a seeker of moksha (salvation).

The Meaning of his Ten Heads

Ravana’s ten heads did not mean he literally had ten skulls. They symbolized his qualities—lust, anger, delusion, greed, pride, envy, mind, intellect, will, and ego. Together, they represented both his vast knowledge and the human weaknesses that led to his downfall.