The 6 Brothers of Ravana

Most people know who Ravana is – the demon king of Sri Lanka who abducted Sita and set in motion the events that unfold in the epic Ramayana. But there are many other interesting things to know about Ravana.

 He was the grandson of Sage Pulastya, one of the Saptarishis. His parents were Sage Vishravan and Kaikashi ( a demoness). Hence he is half demon and half Brahmin. He had ten heads, but he was not born with only one head.

 Ravana was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, an excellent scholar, a good king, and skilled at playing the veena (a musical instrument). He wrote two books: the Ravana Samhita (a book of astrology) and Arka Prakasham (a book of Siddha medicine). He was an expert in Ayurveda and black magic. He could control planetary positions at his will. He owned a flying chariot or pushpakviman, which he forcefully took from his stepbrother Kuber. He was also a master of Tantra vidya (the science of creating optical illusions of thoughts), which he used in battles against his foes.

 Once, Ravana did a severe tapasya (penance) to please Shiva on the banks of the Narmada river. Ravana even chopped off his head to please Shiva, but the head grew back. This went on ten times. A pleased Shiva granted him 10 heads, and he got the name “Dashmukh”.

 The ten heads of Ravana are symbols of the six Shastras (sacred scriptures of Hinduism comprising the sruti, smriti, purana, and tantra categories) and the four Vedas that he mastered. So he was a very learned scholar and highly intelligent. He had mastery over 64 kinds of knowledge and all the arts of weaponry. He compiled Veda with the relevant musical svara (notes). His Shiva Tandava stotra is the most popular hymn sung in praise of Shiva.

 One interpretation says that Ravana’s 10 heads represent the 10 emotions - Kama (lust), Krodh (anger,) Moha (delusion), Lobh (greed), Mada (pride), Maatsarya (envy), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chit (will), and Ahamkara (ego).

 Hindu traditions believe in the importance of controlling one’s senses and projecting only the intellect, which is the most important. The other emotions impede the growth of a soul.

 Once, the great demon king Mahabali told Ravana to avoid these nine emotions and use only the intellect. But Ravana replied all the emotions are important and make him complete. While the one head of Buddhi controlled his fate, the other heads controlled his actions. This caused his destruction. He became enslaved to his senses and unable to control his desires; he destroyed himself, his clan, and entire Lanka. Despite his vast knowledge, he failed to harness his powers. This was one of his biggest regrets as he lay dying in the battlefield.

Ravana had 6 brothers. In this blog, we shall see who they are. 

The 6 Brothers of Ravana 

Kumbhakarna

Kumbhakarna was Ravana’s younger brother.

Built like a mountain, he was once blessed with a boon from Brahma. In a slip of the tongue caused by Goddess Saraswati, he asked for Indrasen (seat of Lord Indra), but it came out as Nindrasan, which means eternal sleep. However, the boon was later modified, whereby he would sleep for 6 months of the year and be awake for the other 6 months. When he was awake, he had a huge appetite and spent most of his time eating. 

Nothing could awaken him, once he fell asleep. When Ravana was facing defeat, it was Kumbhakarna he asked for help. The latter was about to go to bed when his brother turned to him for help. Kumbhakarna advised Ravana to free Sita and apologize to Rama but Ravana refused. He told Kumbhakarna that the glory of their clan was in peril. So, Kumbhakarna who was very loyal to his brother, reluctantly agreed to help him. 

Vibhishana

Vibhishana was Ravana's younger brother. He was a very virtuous man and devoted to Rama. He did not approve of Ravana’s actions and would advise him often not to do evil things. But Ravana paid him no heed. Vibhishana eventually became an ally of Rama. 

Vaishravana/Lord Kubera

Vaishravana, or Kubera, was Ravana's elder stepbrother. Kubera and Ravana had the same father but different mothers. He is the ruler of the Northern Direction. Kubera ruled Lanka before Ravana defeated him and usurped his throne. Vaishravana is the divine treasurer. Brahma’s boon made him the guardian of heaven’s wealth. 

Ahiravana

Ahiravana is a name that evokes dread and fascination. This brother of Ravana  was a master of the dark arts and the ruler of the Underworld. He had the ability to unleash great terrors upon the world. During the battle between Rama and Ravana, he helps abduct Hanuman. 

Khara

Khara was also a brother of Ravana. He was the king of Janasthan, a country to the north of Sri Lanka. A ruthless demon with an evil nature, he led an army of bloodthirsty rakshasas. Everyone feared Khara for his cruelty. He loved to unleash chaos, torment innocent beings, and upset the balance of nature. 

Dushana

Dushana was a malevolent demon. People were terrified of him. His glinted with a wicked gleam as he created chaos and misery wherever he went. He always left behind a trail of destruction. He harassed the innocent with his evil powers, causing them agony. However, his twisted powers were of no use against Rama. 

Conclusion

Though most of us have read the Ramayana, we are unfamiliar with many interesting characters who populate this epic novel. Ravana’s brothers are demons, but Vibhishana alone did not let his demonic nature blind him to the atrocities of his own flesh and blood. He is a testament to the fact that virtue can bloom even in evil places.

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