Ravana had complete knowledge of all four Vedas and six Upanishads. He was an excellent Ayurvedic physician. His father, Vishrava Rishi, belonged to the Brahmin lineage, while his mother, Kaikasi, was from a high-ranking Danava (demon) clan.
Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva. It is said that once, Shiva appeared to Ravana in a dream and invited him to Kailash. Ravana went to Kailash and told Shiva that he would bring him to Lanka and adorn him with gold. To this, Lord Shiva replied that if Ravana were to take him, he would have to take Kailash along with him! Ravana, in his rage, tried to lift Shiva along with Mount Kailash. However, Shiva merely pressed his toe on the ground, and Ravana's fingers got stuck beneath Kailash. After freeing his trapped hand, ten caves were formed at that spot, each five kilometers apart. Ravana was known by many names: Ravan, Rudraksha, Meluhesha, Lankesh, Prajapati, Lankeshwar, Kaal, Ahiravan, Matang, Girdhari, Girling, Manas, Kaling, Mardan, Kalankeshwar, and others.
Ravana had six brothers – Kubera, Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna, Ahiravan, Khara, and Dushana – and two sisters – Shurpanakha and Kumbhini. Among them, Shurpanakha, Kumbhakarna, and Ravana were full siblings. Kumbhini married Madhudanava of Mathura, and Lavanasure was their son. The demon king Vidyutjvha, son of Kalkeya, was Shurpanakha's husband.
One sub-story narrates that Ravana asked Brahma for the boon of immortality. At that time, he offered his heads to Brahma one by one. After offering nine heads, Brahma was pleased with Ravana's penance and inner desire. It is said that while offering his heads, Ravana was also placing the wealth of knowledge contained within those heads at Brahma's feet. This was a great sacrifice.
This is part one, continues next part.
Ravan is Ramayana's willan but,
Ravana was well-versed in the six shastras and the four Vedas, including the Shiva Tandava Stotra
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