Rávaṇ

Also known as: King Rávaṇ / Lord of Lanká · Family: Rákshases · Role: king · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

In Nárad’s summary of the poem, Rávaṇ ordered Márícha to help separate Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, then abducted Sítá; the summary tells that Ráma later slew him in Lanká. In Book I, Canto 14, Brahmá’s boon guarded Rávaṇ from gods and demons, leaving only a human able to kill him. The canto also recounts his defeat of Kuvera, while Book I, Canto 22 names Viśravas as his father and Kuvera as his brother.

In Book III, after hearing from Akampan that Khara and the giants had been slain, Rávaṇ considered abducting Sítá, first abandoning the plan after Márícha counselled against it. He later compelled Márícha to take the form of a golden deer and lure Ráma away. Rávaṇ approached Sítá disguised as a mendicant, asked her to be his queen, and carried her to Lanká after she refused him. Jaṭáyus fought to stop the abduction; Rávaṇ wounded him and bore Sítá away, then confined her under guard and threatened her when she would not accept him. In Book V he continued to woo and threaten her, while she remained loyal to Ráma. He also ordered his captains to seize Hanumán, but chose to have the Vánar’s tail set aflame rather than kill him.

In Book VI, Rávaṇ repeatedly refused counsel to return Sítá, rejecting pleas from Vibhishaṇ, Malyaván, and others. Vibhishaṇ left Lanká and sought refuge with Ráma. As the battle approached, Rávaṇ sent commanders and his sons against the Vánars, then took the field himself. After a prolonged fight with Ráma, he fell to Ráma’s arrow in Book VI, Canto 110. Mandodarí lamented that Rávaṇ had refused her counsel for peace, and Vibhishaṇ performed his funeral rites.