Tag
5 articles tagged with #ravana. Browse more by category or search the library.
Born to Ravana and Mandodari, master of the Brahmastra, Pashupatastra, and Vaishnavastra, the only warrior who defeated Indra and bound him in chains — Meghanada became Indrajit. His death by Lakshmana broke Lanka's spine.
Born a rakshasa, raised by a brahmin father, Vibhishana refused his brother's adharma, walked across to Rama's camp, was crowned king of Lanka, and became one of the seven chiranjivins — eternal models of *sharanagati*.
Grandson of Pulastya, a brahmin scholar of the four Vedas and the sixty-four arts, conqueror of Indra, builder of the golden Lanka, Shiva-bhakta — Ravana is the Ramayana's most learned villain. The text never lets the reader forget that.
Found in the furrow of King Janaka's plough, married to Rama, abducted by Ravana, vindicated by fire, mother of twins, returned to the earth — Sita is the Ramayana's still centre and Indian culture's most elegant grief.
Seventh avatar of Vishnu, eldest son of Dasharatha, husband of Sita, brother of Lakshmana — Rama is the Ramayana's *Maryada Purushottama*: the man whose every action sets the boundary of dharma.
