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Ravana
14. THE CONCEPT OF AVATARS
There are several versions of the story. In the traditional version Ravana was born to the Brahmin sage known as Vishrava. His mother was the Daitya princess Kaikesi. Kaikesi`s father, Sumali, king of the Daityas. Thus according to tradition Ravana's father was a Sura (Vedic Brahmin - Aryan) and his mother was an Asura (Daitya - Dravidian). But according to the Manu law he is counted as an Asura.
Under Vishrava's tutelage, Ravana mastered the Vedas and became a scholar .As he became a man, Ravana went for tapasya. In most cases Asura tapasyas were directed to Brahma (which indicates that Brahma was a powerful god before the coming of Vaishnavism.) Through that he obtained power over the Suras, Nagas and over all creatures along with knowledge of divine weaponry and sorcery. Sri Lanka flourished under his rule. When he came to the knowledge of Shiva he became an ardent devotee of Siva and came to renowned for his Bhakthi which were expressed in his ecstatic dance worship of Shiva Tandava Stotra to Lord Shiva. Some people think that he got the name Rava because of his dances. Ravana literally means "Of terryfying roar" which is connected to Rudra form of Siva. It must have been a nickname symbolic of his faith and response to faith.
One Dravidian version of the Sita and Ravana is different. It is believed that Ravana was a greatgrandson of Mahabali. The story goes that Ravana wanted to fight Mahavishnu, sought the advice of his grandfather Prahlada. Prahlada could not convince Ravana that it is unwise to fight Mahavishnu. He pointed at a huge gold ring - And asked Ravana to lift it. Ravana couldn't even budge it! Prahlada pointed-out; that the ring belonged to Mahabali- their great grandfather.
Paula Richman's book titled "Many Ramayanas" gives the various versions of Ramayana stories from various parts of the Hindu world.
Laos Ramayana: Buddha recited the story of Rama to his disciples, in Laos; they believe that the jataka tale to be tale of Buddha's previous birth. There are two popular versions of Ramayana namely Phra Lak Phra Lam and Gvay Dvorahbi. According to these Ramayanas, Ravana is the nephew of King Dasarath. Rama while roaming in desert in search of Sita eats a fruit and becomes a monkey. [The biblical Adam and Eve's story and its resemblance could also be taken note of] After becoming monkey Rama meets Nengsi, a woman turned into monkey and marries her. Hanuman is their son. After killing Ravana, Ram marries his widow.
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