Ahiravan
Encyclopedia
In the Ramayana
Ahiravan (or Mahiravan or Mairavan), brother of Ravana
, was a rakshasa
who secretly carried away Rama
and his brother Lakshmana
to the nether-world, consulted his friends and decided to sacrifice the life of the two divine brothers at the altar of his chosen deity, goddess Mahamaya. But Hanuman
saved their life by killing Ahiravan and his army.
In the Ramayana Ahiravan During the battle between Rama and Ravana, Ravana’s son Indrajit is killed. At that point, Ravana calls his brother Ahiravana for help. Now, Ahiravana is the king of Patala (the underworld). Ahiravana promised to help. Vibhishana somehow manages to hear about the plot and warns Rama about it. Hanuman is put on guard and told not to let anyone within the room where Rama and Lakshmana are. Ahiravana tries to enter the room and makes many attempts but all attempts are thwarted by Hanuman. Finally, Ahiravana takes the form of Vibhishana and Hanuman lets him enter. Ahiravana quickly enters and takes the “sleeping Rama and Lakshmana” away.
When Hanuman realizes what happened, he goes to Vibhishana. Vibhishana says, alas they have been abducted by Ahiravana. If Hanuman does not rescue them fairly quickly, Ahiravana will sacrifice both Rama and Lakshman to Chandi. Hanuman goes to Patala. The door to patala is guarded by a creature, who is half Vanara
and half reptile. Hanuman asks him who are you and the monkey says, I am Makardhwaja, your son! This confuses Hanuman, since he did not have any child. He was an adept Brahmachari and knew it to be impossible. The son explains, while you were jumping over the ocean, a drop of your sweat fell in the ocean and in the mouth of a fish called “Makardhwaja
”. This is the origin of my birth.
After defeating his son, Hanuman enters Patala. He encounters Ahiravana and Mahiravana. They had a strong army and Hanuman is told by Chandrasena that the only way to vanquish them is by blowing of 5 different candles located in 5 different directions, all at the same time in return for a promise to be Lord Rama's consort. So, at this point, Hanuman assumes the form with 5 heads (Panchmukhi Hanuman) and he quickly blows of the 5 different candles and thus kills Ahiravana and Mahiravana. Throughout the saga, both Rama and Lakshmana are rendered unconscious by a spell by the demons.
in Kavya
style in the 16th century by Madayya kavi.
The story of Ahiravan was made as Telugu film in 1940 by Ghantasala Balaramaiah entitled Mahiravana
. The veteran actor Vemuri Gaggaiah
played the role of Ahiravan.
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
Ahiravan (or Mahiravan or Mairavan), brother of Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
, was a rakshasa
Rakshasa
A Rakshasa or alternatively rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion...
who secretly carried away Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
and his brother Lakshmana
Lakshmana
Lakshmana was the brother and close companion of Rama, and himself a hero in the famous epic Ramayana...
to the nether-world, consulted his friends and decided to sacrifice the life of the two divine brothers at the altar of his chosen deity, goddess Mahamaya. But Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
saved their life by killing Ahiravan and his army.
In the Ramayana Ahiravan During the battle between Rama and Ravana, Ravana’s son Indrajit is killed. At that point, Ravana calls his brother Ahiravana for help. Now, Ahiravana is the king of Patala (the underworld). Ahiravana promised to help. Vibhishana somehow manages to hear about the plot and warns Rama about it. Hanuman is put on guard and told not to let anyone within the room where Rama and Lakshmana are. Ahiravana tries to enter the room and makes many attempts but all attempts are thwarted by Hanuman. Finally, Ahiravana takes the form of Vibhishana and Hanuman lets him enter. Ahiravana quickly enters and takes the “sleeping Rama and Lakshmana” away.
When Hanuman realizes what happened, he goes to Vibhishana. Vibhishana says, alas they have been abducted by Ahiravana. If Hanuman does not rescue them fairly quickly, Ahiravana will sacrifice both Rama and Lakshman to Chandi. Hanuman goes to Patala. The door to patala is guarded by a creature, who is half Vanara
Vanara
Vānara popularly refers to a group of ape-like humanoids in the Hindu epic Ramayana who were brave and inquisitive by nature. They possessed supernatural powers and could change their shapes...
and half reptile. Hanuman asks him who are you and the monkey says, I am Makardhwaja, your son! This confuses Hanuman, since he did not have any child. He was an adept Brahmachari and knew it to be impossible. The son explains, while you were jumping over the ocean, a drop of your sweat fell in the ocean and in the mouth of a fish called “Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja as per Hindu mythology, is son of Hanuman, who makes his appearance in epic Ramayana.-Birth:When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration fell in to mouth of a mighty fish...
”. This is the origin of my birth.
After defeating his son, Hanuman enters Patala. He encounters Ahiravana and Mahiravana. They had a strong army and Hanuman is told by Chandrasena that the only way to vanquish them is by blowing of 5 different candles located in 5 different directions, all at the same time in return for a promise to be Lord Rama's consort. So, at this point, Hanuman assumes the form with 5 heads (Panchmukhi Hanuman) and he quickly blows of the 5 different candles and thus kills Ahiravana and Mahiravana. Throughout the saga, both Rama and Lakshmana are rendered unconscious by a spell by the demons.
Popular culture
Mairavan charitra was written in Telugu languageTelugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
in Kavya
Kavya
Kavya refers to the Sanskrit literary style used by Indian court poets flourishing from the first half of the seventh century AD. This literary style is characterised by abundant usage of figures of speech, metaphors, similes, and hyperbole to create its emotional effects...
style in the 16th century by Madayya kavi.
The story of Ahiravan was made as Telugu film in 1940 by Ghantasala Balaramaiah entitled Mahiravana
Mahiravana
Mahiravana is a 1940 Telugu film by Ghantasala Balaramaiah under the banner of Kubera Films. The veteran actor Vemuri Gaggaiah played the role of Ahiravan....
. The veteran actor Vemuri Gaggaiah
Vemuri Gaggaiah
Vemuri Gaggaiah was popular Telugu theater and film actor. He was well known for the horrifying cruel roles.-Life sketch:...
played the role of Ahiravan.