Ramayana is an Sanskrit epic and teaches victory of good over evil. Ramayana holds a very special place in Hindu religion.There are many characters in Ramayana and although most people have watched and read Ramayana multiple times,here are some of the interesting unknown facts about Ramayana that you might not know.
1.Ravana conducted Pooja for Lord Rama
Lord Ram decided before the war to conduct pooja of Lord Shiva for His blessings.He sent out Hanuman for the most knowledgeable brahmin around for performing it.Hanuman knew that nobody apart from Ravana can perform this pooja.Ravan who Himself is an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva accepted the invite.
Lord Rama thanked Ravana and touched his feet and Ravana blessed Rama for victory as a brahmin.
2.Laxman did not sleep during exile
During their 14 years of exile,Laxman did not sleep at all.Laxman loved his brother Rama so much that he wanted to stay vigilant to protect Him and His wife,Sita.Laxman requested Nidra Devi,Goddess of sleep to free him from the need for sleeping.Laxman and Goddess Nidra agreed that Laxman will need not to sleep during the 14 years of exile but His quota of sleep must be fulfilled by someone.Laxman's wife Urmila then slept for Laxman in his place in Ayodhya.
3.Indrajeet Vadh
Ravana's son Indrajeet was a fearsome warrior.He was so brave that he had even won over the Deva King Indra.He was able to wield weapons like Bramhastra,Vaishnavastra and Pashupatastra which only few on entire earth were able to do.He had a boon that he can die only from hands of a Gudakesh - person who had conquered sleep.Laxman was thus able to kill Meghnad or Indrajeet because he qualified as a Gudakesh.
4.Jambvant was also powerful
Jambvant was powerful enough to cross the sea in one jump to reach Lanka.He had also defeated Bali ,the brother of Sugriva many times. Because of his age he no longer had the same strength to cross the sea and he reminded Hanuman of his powers who then crossed the sea.
5.Swayamvar and Lord Shiva's Bow
We all know to marry Sita, a swayamvar was held and the condition to marry was to lift Lord Shiva's bow 'Pinak'.This was because as a child Sita was able to lift the bow.King Janak,Sita's father wanted a suitable match for his daughter who can at least match her prowess.
Lord Rama was able to lift it and then married Sita.
6.Squirrel and The Rama Setu Bridge
This is one of the most interesting Ramayana Fact.Lord Rama instructed Vanaras to construct a bridge to Lanka to cross the sea with his army.The monkeys started to work by fetching rocks for constructing the bridge.A squirrel also tried to help by bringing some small rocks and stones.
Seeing the dedication,Lord Rama was pleased and He patted the squirrel on the back which resulted in white stripes on the squirrels.
7.Ravana was a knowledgeable brahmin
Although Ravana is described as a stupendous fighter,but he had many skills and qualities.Ravana was a brahmin and an expert in Vedas and astrology.He was an admirer of art and himself was and excellent veena player.
He was utter devotee of Lord Shiva and played the Rudra veena believed to be invented by him in Lord Shiva's praise.He is believed to be the most powerful Asura warrior as well.
Lord Rama even asked Laxman to sit beside Ravana and learn diplomacy and statecraft in the end after the war.
8.Forest and Exile
We all know that Rama along with Laxman and Sita spent 14 years in exile in forests.This is because forests were considered to be place were demons resided.The name of the forest was Dandakaranya,where Lord Rama spent most of his exile.Dandakaranya is derived from 'Dand' meaning punishment and 'Aranya' meaning forest.
9.Nandi's Curse and destruction of Ravana
Once Ravana tried to enter Mount Kailash,the holy abode of Lord Shiva.Nandi stopped Ravana and told him that nobody is allowed to enter at this time.Ravana made fun of Nandi by calling him a monkey.Nandi then cursed him that monkeys will bring Ravan's downfall and destruction.
Later Rama's Vanara Sena or the Monkey army defeated Ravana and his army.
10.Rama and His Brothers
King Dashrath had fours sons - Rama,Laxman,Bharat and Shatrughna.Apart from this he also had a daughter named Shanta.While Lord Rama is consider incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Laxman incarnation of Sheshnag.Bharat and Shatrughna are believed to be incarnation of Sudarshan Chakra and conch shell respectively.
11.Kumbhakarna and his sleep
Kumbhakarna was younger brother of Ravana who slept for six consecutive months,woke up to eat food for one day and slept again for six months.
Once Kumbhakarna conducted a yagya and pleased Lord Brahma.Indra got afraid and requested Goddess Saraswati for help.When Brahma asked the wish of Kumbhakarna,Saraswati sat on Kumbhakarna's tongue.This lead Kumbhakarna to pronounce Indrasan-place of Indra as Nindrasan- crown of sleep.Ravana then requested Lord Brahma to relax the boon and Kumbhakarna was then able to wake up a single day in an year to eat food.
12.Kuber,the God of wealth was half brother of Ravana
Kuber and Ravana were half brothers.Before Ravana,Kuber was the King of Lanka and King of Demons.He was recognised as 'God of Riches' also.
Ravana fought Kuber and overthrew him to become King of Lanka himself.Kuber moved to Mount Kailash as he knew Ravana would never attack the holy abode of Lord Shiva.
13.Gayatri Mantra and Ramayana
Gayatri Mantra mentioned in Rigveda is formed from Ramayana.Valmiki Ramayana has 24,000 verses.The first letter of each verse makes the Gayatri Mantra.
Do let us know if you enjoyed reading this blog on these interesting Ramayana Facts.
Also read: 7 Interesting Unknown facts about Hanuman you probably don't know
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