Lanka
It appears in Ramayana that Ravana ruled Lanka as the king of the Rakshasas and was a powerful king

Share this Article:

Lanka king Ravana The name `lanka` means `island`. In the Hindu mythology, it is found that Lanka is the name given to the island bastion capital of the King Ravana in the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. As per Ramayana, the fortress was situated in a plateau between three mountain peaks known as the Trikuta Mountains.

After Rama killed Ravana, Ravana`s brother Vibhisana ruled the kingdom of Lanka. His descendants ruled Lanka even during the time of the Pandavas.

As it is found in Ramayana, a Rakshasha, Sumali, ruled Lanka. Visarvana (kubera), who was a Yaksha, later took it and then from him, Rakshasa Ravana took the kingship of Lanka.

Moreover, it appears in Ramayana that Ravana ruled Lanka as the king of the Rakshasas and was a powerful king. When Surpankha, the sister of Ravana went to assault Sita, the wife of Rama, Laxmana, the brother of Rama cut off her nose. To take the proper revenge, Ravana carried off Sita to his kingdom. Then Rama, along with the monkey king Sugriva and his monkey army marched to liberate Sita. After great fighting, the monkey host prevailed and Sita was liberated from Ravana`s captivity. Rama slew Ravana in the battle.

In Mahabharata also, the reference to Lanka has been found in Book III (Varna Parva) of Section 271. Here sage Markandeya is found to narrate the story of Rama and Sita to king Yudhishthira.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Puranas


Concept of Naraka in Vishnu Purana
Concept of Naraka has been discussed in the Vishnu Purana in an elaborate manner. It has been said that a person reaches hell if he commits an evil deed and the hell into which he reaches is determined by his actions.
Characters of Markandeya Purana
Markandeya Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Markandeya, Demon Mahisha, Dama, King Khaninetra and Khanitra.
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana describes four basic varnas which include Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Varna has been classified as per deeds performed by them.
Characters of Padma Purana
Some of the Characters of Padma Purana are Vishnu, Rama, Sita and Shiva.
Characters of Brahma Purana
Brahma Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama and Parvati.
Characters of Shiva Purana
Shiva Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma and Krishna.
Adhyayas in Agni Purana
Adhyayas in Agni Purana are all encompassing. The chapters have dealt with a variety of subjects related to human lives. A large number of chapters have been dedicated to religious aspects of human life.
Ramayana in Agni Purana
Ramayana in Agni Purana has been described by Lord Agni in a vivid manner.
Puranic Deities of India
Puranic Deities in India are worshipped by the Hindus, they are of immense supremacy and are considered to be almighty.
Indian Puranic Tribes
The existence of Indian Puranic tribes is often mixed with mythology and fiction that depict them as superhuman or sub.
Puranic Texts
Puranic Texts are vital according to Hindu, Jain or Buddhist religion; they describe the history of the Universe.
Puranic Shaivism
Puranic Shaivism established during the Gupta Dynasty. This puranic religion developed and expanded, and was accompanied by the development of Brahmanical forms of worship. The stories of the Puranas spread rapidly through the singers and narrators.
Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history
In defining the ancient Indian history Puranic sources are indeed important.