Tandav Stotram writer Ravana Srilankan King

Sanatan Dharm is so pious and great that even asuras belonging to the Vedic dharma showed matchless penance, austerity and bhakti.

Ravan was born to a great sage Vishrava (or Vesamuni), and his wife, the daitya princess Kaikesi. He was born in the Bisrakh village, as his grandfather, the sage Pulastya, was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara. Ravan’s mother Kaikesi’s father, Sumali (or Sumalaya), king of the Daityas, wished her to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravan was a Daitya or Rakshasa and Brahman at the same time since he mastered divine knowledge – 6 Shastras and 4 Vedas. Ravana later usurped Lanka from his half brother Kubera and became the King of Lanka and became a Kshatriya thereon based on the Vedic Varna System.

ShivBhakt Ravan

Ravana Was One of the Proponents of Aeronautics in Ancient India

Ravan was blessed with immense knowledge, power and strength by Bhagwan Shiv himself – which he used to amicably manage his kingdom and lavish lifestyle.

Pushpak Viman was the best of all aeroplanes that he took forcibly from his brother Kuber. Ravan had also a number of other airplanes with several airports to land them. Weragantota in Mahiyangana, Thotupola Kanda at Horton Plains, Wariyapola in Kurunegala and Gurulupotha in Mahiyangana are some of the mysterious places in Sri Lanka that are still referred as airports which Ravan used. Being so knowledgeable and king of all the lavish things which even demigods never had that time… So what made Ravan an Asura?

[ Know More About Vaimanika Shastra or Vymanika Sutra Here ]

Prarabdh (Past Deeds/Karma) of Ravan Made Him Asur

According to a Srimad Bhagavat Puran, the Four Kumars, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan, and Sanatkumar who are the manasaputras of Brahma (sons born from the mind or thought power of Brahma), visited Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, to see him. Jay and Vijay were gate keepers of the Vaikuntha, they denied entry to the Four Kumars. This enraged the Kumars and they cursed Jay and Vijay, that they would have to give up their divinity, be born as mortals on Earth (bhuloka, or physical plane), and live like normal human beings. Vishnu appeared before them, and the gatekeepers requested Vishnu to lift the curse of the four Kumars. Vishnu informs them that curse of Kumaras cannot be reversed. Instead, he gives Jaya and Vijaya two options. The first option is to take seven births on Earth as a devotee of Vishnu, while the second is to take three births as his enemy. After serving either of these sentences, they can re-attain their stature at Vaikuntha and be with him permanently. Jaya and Vijaya cannot bear the thought of staying away from Vishnu for seven lives. As a result, they choose to be born three times on Earth even though it would have to be as enemies of Vishnu.

The reason being they did not wanted to remain separated from their Bhagwan Vishnu for longer time so they took the more painful and disgraceful route of becoming enemies for 3 lives instead of 7 lives of being Haribhakts. They were not aware of their past when they took births in mrityulok (earth).

Ravan Penance for thousands of years to please Bhagwan Shiv

In the first life Jay and Vijay were born as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha in the Krita Yuga, to Diti (daughter of Daksha Prajapathi) and sage Kashyapa who were killed by Vishnu taking the form of Varaha, a boar and Narasimha,a man-lion in the Satya Yuga.

In their second life they were born as Ravan and Kumbhakarn and were killed by Vishnu who descended as Rama in the Treta Yuga.

And in their third life as Shishupal and Dantavakra who were killed by Vishnu who descended as Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga.

Ravan Became One of The Greatest Devotee of Bhagwan Shiv

Ravan performed an intense penance (or tapasya) to Bhagwan Shiv, lasting several hundred years. During his penance, Ravan chopped off his head 10 times to show Bhagwan Shiv to what extent he can go for his bhakti towards him. Each time he sliced his head off a new head appeared, thus enabling him to continue his penance. At last Bhagwan Shiv pleased with his austerity, appeared after his 10th decapitation and offered him a boon. Ravan asked for immortality, which Bhagwan Shiv refused and instead gave him the celestial gem (which was filled with nectar of immortality). The nectar of immortality, stored under his navel, dictated that he could not be vanquished for as long as amrit (nectar of immortality) lasted in his navel.

ShivBhakt Ravan Lanka

Ravan also asked for absolute invulnerability from and supremacy over gods, heavenly beings, other rakshas, serpents, and wild beasts. Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for protection from these, he thought no mortal men can kill him. Shiva granted him these boons in addition to his 10 severed heads and great strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons and magic. Thus Ravan known as ‘Dasamukha’ or ‘Dashaanan’.

Ravan Wrote Tandav Stotram, Recited Even Today by Shiv Bhakts

The Tandav stotram is in the Panchachaamara Chhanda (16 syllables per line of the quatrain, with Laghu and Guru characters alternating). It was written by Ravan to please Bhagwan Shiv when he requested Shiv to leave Mountain Kailash and make Sri Lanka his abode.

Ravan was so adamant that he even tried to lift Mount Kailash, though he was able to move it a bit, but when Bhagwan Shiv gently pressed his right foot smallest or pinky toe, Ravan was unable to remove his hands which got pressed beneath Mountain. Ravan was feeling the immense pain and still he created and recited loudly Tandav Stotram.

Ravan was great Devotee of Bhagwan Shiv but a Demon and Egoistic Evil for humans and Demigods

Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave to him the divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Has, crescent moon, which resembles a smile). It was during this incident that he acquired the name ‘Ravan’, meaning “(He) Of the terrifying roar”, given to him by Shiva – the earth is said to have quaked at Ravana’s cry of pain when the mountain was pinned on him.

Golden Palace is Dakshina of Bhagwan Shiv to Ravan

This historical incident  do not protray bhakti aspect of Ravan but shows how much Bhagwan adores his bhakts too.

Bhagwan Shiv is hermit and celibate; he takes different forms (and avatars) to protect the destruction of Universe from evil forces. We are told about Rakshasas from our world’s point of views. However, there are multiverses, several planes and 64 dimensions of this Universe. Bhagwan Shiv has to protect everything, including the other planes and residents that we are not rightfully made aware of.

Bhagwan Shiv is the DESTROYER OF EVIL. He is controlling the world, detaching himself from the worldly possessions. Maa Parvati – Bhagwan Shiv’s shakti – took form of Parvati to teach life lessons and Purans to the earthling. All the incidents, discussions happening between Shiv Parvati are lessons for us. Once Mata Parvati requested Bhagwan Shiv to build a palace on Kailash Mountain, the abode of Shiv. Bhagwan Shiv was reluctant as he wanted to be close to the Ganns and all his disciples of Kailash, close to the nature (Prakriti form of Maa Parvati herself).

Ravan had the desire to live in Kailash and serve Bhagwan Shiv and his family by building a palace made of gold. His brother, Kuber (the treasurer of our plane and others), helped him reach Kailash with his Pushpak Viman.

Ravan took the permission of Bhagwan Shiv to build a golden castle, known as Lanka (meaning that glitters like Gold), for Bhagwan Shiv and his family. Bhagwan Shiv finally gave consent on his insistence, this made Maa Parvati happy that the family will have their own home.

Ravan again approached his half-brother Kuber for the gold to construct a golden castle in Kailash Mountain. Kuber was the king of Yaksh, a protector of gold and a supreme head of Dhan Prabhadhan (wealth management) in Indra`s kingdom, Amravati. It is said that material earth of today just have fractional gold (i.e. -10^1000) of what Kuber had during the time of Lanka palace construction.

Kuber gave tons of gold to Ravan for the construction of Lanka palace. Ravan then requests sage Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, to construct a golden castle for Bhagwan Shiv. Sage Vishwakarma constructs the most beautiful palace of that time in the Universe – the exquisite and unrivalled golden castle – for Bhagwan Shiv, Maa Parvati and their family.

The entire palace was made of pure gold not just layering the stone or metal with a gold film. The palace shone like a vibrant sun and can be seen glowing from several Yojans. The surrounding locations were lit with the splendor and shine of Golden Palace, Lanka.

The palace glittered the entire surrounding reflecting sunshine to manifolds, sunrays enhanced its opulence and splendor

golden palace lanka haibhakt

As per the Vedic tradition since time immemorial, before entering a newly made home or a structure, there should be a Griha Pravesh puja. The puja invokes positive energy, keeping the family happy and united. It also prospers the surrounding annihilating the negative energies. A swami of the house can attend the puja but the entire process of conducting puja has to be done by a Brahmin or a Guru who has immense knowledge of Shastras and Vedas. Ravan was revered for his mastery over divine knowledge of Shastras amongst all at this time. He was invited as a Brahmin for this Puja. He performs the puja following all ritual for Bhagwan Shiv and his family.

After puja Ravan was asked about the daskhina. Being Asur, Ravan could not suppress his basic nature. It shocked everyone when Ravan demands for the golden palace Lanka as his dakshina. Bhagwan Shiv donates Lanka to Ravan without any hesitation. Levitating his golden Lanka, Ravan takes the palace to the Southern Bharat (India), the abode of Rakshashas of that time.

As Karma decides the wheel of life and incidents, the time comes to cease the wrongful act of Ravan, asking the same palace for which he performed puja as Dakshina. When Rudra Avatar of Bhagwan Shiv, Hanuman was first insulted in the court of Ravan, then setting his tail on fire, Hanuman retaliated by burning the entire palace into ruins. The tons of gold is returned to the Gods treasury, the palace is converted into dilapidated castle of ruins and destruction.

Bhagwan Shiv is merciful and protector, he respected and paid gratitude to Ravan for his Bhakti. However, no one can escape the Karmic design of Bhagwan. So the palace turned into a living proof of ruins for humanity, teaching us that we should never greed for unrightful things.

Tandav Stotram Written By Raavan Himself

This Begins the Tandav Stotram Phrases written By Ravan

श्रीगणेशाय नमः


गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् |
चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ||१||

Jata tavee gala jala prava hapa vithas thale
Galae..valambyalam bitaam bhujanga tunga malikaam
Damad damad damad daman ninaa davad damar vayam
Chakara chanda tandavam tanotu naha shivaha shivam.

With his neck, consecrated by the flow of water flowing from the thick forest-like locks of hair, and on the neck, where the lofty snake is hanging garland, and the Damaru drum making the sound of Damat Damat Damat Damat, Lord Shiva did the auspicious dance of Tandava and may He shower prosperity on us all.


विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि |
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ||२||

Jata kataha sambhrama bhraman nillimpa nirzaree,
Vilola veechi vallaree viraja mana moordhani,
Dhagad dhagad dhagaj jwalal lalata patta pavake,
Kishora chandra shekare ratihi pratikshanam mama.


स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे |
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे(क्वचिच्चिदम्बरे) मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ||३||

Dhara dharendra nandinee vilaasa bhandhu bhandura,
Sphuraddigan tasantati pramodha maana maanase,
Krupaa kataaksha dhoranee niruddha durdharaapadi,
Kwachid digambare (kwachicchidambarae) mano vinodametu vastuni.


कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे |
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ||४||

Jataa bhujanga pingala sphurat phana mani prabha,
Kadambakum kumadrava pralip tadig wadhuu mukhae,
Madaandha sindhu rasphurat waguttari yamedure,
Mano vinodamaddhutam bibhartu bhoota bhartari.


प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः |
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ||५||

Sahasra lochana prabhrut yashesha lekha shekhara,
Prasoona dhooli dhoranee vidhuu sarandhri peethabhuhu,
Bhujangaraja malaya nibaddha jaata jootaka,
Shriyai chiraya jaayatam chakorabandhu shekharaha.


निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् |
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ||६||

Lalaata chatwara jwalad dhananjaya sphulingabhaa,
Nipeeta pancha sayakam naman nilimpa nayakam,
Sudhaa mayookha lekhayaa virajamana shekharam,
Mahaa kapali sampade, shiroja talamastu naha.


द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके |
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम |||७||

Karaala bhaala pattikaa dhagad dhagad dhagaj jwala-
Ddhananjayaa hutee kruta prachanda pancha sayakae,
Dhara dharendra nandinee kuchagra chitrapatraka-
-Prakalpanaika shilpini, trilochane ratir mama.


नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः |
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ||८||

Naveena megha mandalee nirudha durdhara sphurat,
Kahoo nisheethi neetamaha prabandha bandha kandharaha,
Nilimpa nirzaree dharstanotu krutti sindhuraha,
Kalaa nidhaana bandhuraha shriyam jagat durandharaha.


वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् |
स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं
गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ||९||

Prafulla neela pankaja prapancha kalima prabha-
-Valambi kanttha kandalee ruchi prabaddha kandharam,
Smarschidam puraschidham bhavaschidham makhachidham,
Gajacchidaam dhakacchidaam tamantakacchidam bhaje.


अखर्व(अगर्व) सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी
रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् |
स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं
गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ||१०||

Akharva (Agara) sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjaree,
Rasa pravaha madhuri vijrumbhanaa madhu vratam,
Suraantakam, puraantakam, bhavaantakam, makhaantakam,
Gajaantakandhakaantakam tamantakaantakam bhaje.


द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् |
ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ||११||

Jayatvadabhra vibhrama bhrama dbujanga masrhvasa-
-dvinirgamatkramasphurat karaala bhala havya vaat,
Dhimid dhimid dhimi dhvananmrudanga tunga mangala,
Dhwani krama pravartita prachanda tandavaha shivaha.


गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः |
तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः
समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे ||१२||

Sprushad wichitra talpayorbhujanga mouktika srajor-,
Garishtha ratna loshthayoho suhrudwi paksha pakshayoho,
Trunaara vinda chakshushoho prajaamahee mahendrayoho,
Samam pravartyanmanaha kada sadaashivam bhajae.


कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन्
विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् |
विलोललोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः
शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ||१३||

Kada nilimpa nirjari nikunja kotarae vasan,
Vimukta durmateehi sada siraha sthamanjalim vahan,
Vilola lochano lalaama bhaala lagnakaha,
Shiveti mantramuccharan kada sukhee bhavamyaham.


इदम् हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं
पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् |
हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं
विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ||१४||

Idam hi nityameva mukta muttamottamam stavam,
Pathan smaran bruvan naro vishuddhimeti santatam,
Hare Gurau subhaktimashu yati naanyatha gatim,
Vimohanam hi dehinaam sushankarasya chintanam.


पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं
यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे |
तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां
लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः ||१५||

Poojavasaanasamaye dashavaktrageetam,
Yaha shambhupoojanaparam pathati pradoshe,
Tasya sthiraam radha gajendra turanga yuktam,
Lakshmeem sadaiva sumukhim pradadaati shambhuhu.


इति श्रीरावण-कृतम्

Iti ShreeRavana-krutam,

Thus ends the Shiv-Tandava Stotra Recited by Shiv Bhakt Ravan.

There are several temples where Ravana is worshipped, not for his farce ego, animosity towards Bhagwan Ram but due to his penance and Shiv bhakti. Even to this day, Ravan is considered as the most revered devotee of Bhagwan Shiv. The images of Ravan are seen associated with Bhagwan Shiv at some temples located in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Such is the greatness of Hinduism and Sanatan Dharm that even Asuras who were opponent of Dharm were great Bhakts of Shiv and Krishna.

Ruins of Golden Palace That Ravan Took From Bhagwan Shiv As Dakshina – RamBhakt Hanuman Burnt It Down to Ashes

Palace of Ravana Sri Lanka Burnt Down by Rambhakt Hanuman

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    1. Radhe Radhe Rambhakt Ji,

      What a Shame, is this Times of India or Times of Pakistan … such people who have treacherous anti-Hindu mindset should be deported to pakistan.

      Jai Shree Krishn