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रावण

1.  Ravana was half-Brahmin and half-demon. His father was Vishwashrava, a rishi belonging to the Pulastya clan, and mother Kaikasi belonged to a demon clan. Vishwashrava had two wives - Varavarnini and Kaikasi.  Kuber, the god of wealth was born to the first wife, and Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Shurpanakha and Vibhishana were born to Kaikasi. It was Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarana, who performed penance, got miraculous powers  from Lord Brahma and drove out Kuber to occupy the golden kingdom of Lanka.   2.  Ravana was not named so since birth. He was Dashagriva or Dashanana (demon with ten heads). While trying to dislodge Mount Kailash on which Lord Shiva was meditating, Shiva pressed the mountain with his toe crushing Ravana's forearms. As Ravana let out blood-curling screams in agony, he came to be known as Ravana (one who screams). It was then that Ravana became one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva, and composed the Shiva Tandava Stotram. 3. ...