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Shree Raam Charit Maanas |
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| Maanas-Biographies | ||
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1.
Raavan Raavan was born in a Braahman family. He was the son of Rishi Vishravaa and, and the grandson of Rishi Pulastya. Raavan's wife's name was Mandodaree. She was the daughter of Maya Daanav. When Raavan got victory over Indra, then Maya Daanav built a beautiful golden city, Lankaa, for him on Trikoot Parvat which was in the middle of the sea. He married his daughter Mandodaree also to him. Meghnaad was his eldest son. He was very brave and mighty. He had defeated Indra, that is why he was called Indrajeet also. Akshaya Kumaar was his youngest and he was killed by Hanumaan Jee while he was in Lankaa regarding the search of Seeta. His another son's name was Prahast who was killed by Neel. His another son was Durmukh. Raavan had two brothers - Kumbhkarn and Vibheeshan and one sister - Shoorpankhaa. Raavan was a great Bhakt of Shiv Jee. Once he lifted up Kailaash Parvat and wandered around carrying it. Shiv Jee got very pleased with him, then he put the Parvat down. Once he pleased Brahmaa Jee by offering his heads, so he gave him Var that "as your head will be cut it will become hundred before falling on the ground". [that is why when Raam was cutting his heads, his heads were increasing all the time.]. He had an Amrit Kalash (pot of Ambrosia) in his navel also that is why he was not killed unless that pot was broken. Vibheeshan disclosed this secret to Shree Raam, then only Shree Raam was able to kill him. Raavan was said to have 10 heads and 20 arms. It is also said that he used to chant Ved with all the ten mouths continuously. According to "The Aangiras Dictionary of the Hindu Religion and Culture" (p. 317), "The extra nine heads represented nine sins with which Raavan was afflicted. They were (1) anger, (2) arrogance, (3) cruelty, (4) dishonesty, (5) hypocrisy, (6) lust, (7) malice, (8) revengefulness, and (9) lack of faith in God. When Shree Raam destroyed the heads of Raavan, He destroyed the evils of human beings that these heads represented and showed mankind that they should get rid of these heads." He was also a candidate for Seetaa Jee, but he could not even move Shiv's bow.
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