7 FACTS YOU DID'NT KNOW ABOUT RAVANA

7 Surprising Facts About Ravana You Probably Didn’t Know

Ravana is most often remembered as the ten‐headed demon king from the epic Ramayana—the one who abducted Sita and was ultimately defeated by Lord Rama in a battle at Lanka. However, there is much more to Ravana than his villainous reputation. From his expertise in Ayurveda to his musical accomplishments, here are seven lesser‐known facts about Ravana that may surprise you.

Ravana: Half Brahmin, Half Demon

 

Fact #1: Ravana’s Lineage: Half Brahmin, Half Demon. 

Ravana was the son of Rishi Vishrava (a Brahmin sage) and Kaikashi (a demon princess). This made him half Brahmin and half demon.  He had six brothers—Kuber, Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna, Khara, Dushana, and Mahi Ravana—and two sisters, Surpanakha and Kumbhini.

Ravana: The Scholar

Fact #2: Ravana was a Pioneering Ayurvedic Physician.

Ravana was revered as a Vaidya Shiromani (foremost among physicians). He authored several key texts:

•  Nadi Pariksha – A detailed guide on pulse diagnosis.
• Arka Shastra – Usage, dosage, and cures of various herbs for complex diseases.
• Arka Pariksha – Focuses on tinctures and herbal extracts.
• Kumara Tantraya – Addresses gynecology and pediatric medicine.
• Uddisa Chikitsa, Oddiya Chikitsa, Vatina Prakaranaya – Additional works on diverse healing methods. Ravana also pioneered a special medicine called Sindhuram, reputed to heal wounds instantly.
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  Ravana the Musician

  
  
  

Fact #3: Ravana the Musician 

Ravana was a highly accomplished musician, credited with:

• Designing the Ravana Veena – A unique string instrument.
• Inventing the violin bow (according to some legends).
• Composing the first Ragas and the renowned Shiva Tandava Stotram, which praises Lord Shiva.

Fact #4: Skilled in Angampora

Ravana was a distinguished fighter in Angampora, an ancient martial art form of Sri Lanka(historically known as "Sinhale") His expertise in combat made him a formidable adversary on the battlefield. 

Fact #5: Master of Tantra Vidya.

Ravana also excelled in Tantra Vidya, reputedly creating optical illusions to confound his enemies. He authored the Ravana Samhita, a noteworthy compilation of his scholarly and mystical studies.  

Fact #6: Performed the Commencement Puja for Rama’s Bridge.

According to certain stories, Ravana performed the commencement puja for the Setu (bridge) built by Rama’s army. He was considered the most learned Pandit available at the time. In some Sri Lankan texts, Ravana even recommended an auspicious time for Rama to start the battle and blessed him with “Vijayi Bhava” (victory).

 

Fact #7: Deathbed Lessons to Lakshmana

On his deathbed, Ravana imparted political and life lessons to Lakshmana, sharing wisdom gleaned from his own mistakes:

• Maintain good relations with key aides (charioteer, cook, gatekeeper, brothers), as they can do the most harm if dissatisfied.
• Never underestimate an enemy—a mistake Ravana himself made.
• Trust in astrology and the movements of the stars, which he believed never err.
• Value ministers who offer criticism (he ignored Vibhishana’s advice to his downfall).

Conclusion 

Ravana's story extend well beyond his portrayal as the demon king in the Ramayana. He was a scholar, musician, healer, and a master of various arts. Understanding these lesser known aspects of Ravana provides a more nuanced view of his character reminding us that every figure in mythology can have multiple dimensions.