Ravana is a well-known demon of the Satyug popularly. Majorly famous as an enemy of Lord Ram, he was far brilliant and a master of numerous skills. Ravana’s name is among the top devotees of Lord Shiva, and he impressed Lord Shiva with his hard devotion and bhakti. But as his mother was from the demon kingdom or Rakshas kul, he became the most powerful demon of his time. There were 6 brothers of Ravana, all have their special character and contribution in Ravana’s life.
Actually, Ravana was the son of Rishi Vishrava, a saint, and Kaikesi, a Rakshas kul lady. Ravana has many good qualities, and he was a great Pandit, but his goodness was overshadowed by a negative or demon mentality. In the Hindu mythology, Ravan name is presented as an arrogant person. His story and legacy in regional scriptures and folktales are also popular as Ravan God. Among 6, two of Ravana’s brothers are against him, or better to say they are on the right path of harm. Let’s explore the Ravana brother name and their personality.
6 Ravana Brother: Story in Hinduism
1. Kubera
Kubera was the half-brother of Ravana, as he was born to another mother, but his father was Rishi Vishrava. Kuber was always on the path of Dharma and he was considered as the God of Wealth. He was the owner of Lanka, the gold city and Ravana was jealous of him. With his negative energies, Ravana captures the Lanka and the Pushpak Viman, the first flying chariot known to exist.
Besides all his belongings grabbed by his brother Ravan, Kuber sticks to his path of dharma and never values wealth over the right things.
2. Vibhishana
Vibhishan was very well aware of the injustice and inequity of Ravana. He always advises his elder brother Ravana to leave what he is doing and be on the right path. He advises Ravana not to enforce Devi Sita and sends him back to Ram with all due respect. But Ravana was so arrogant, and he didn’t recognize that Devi Sita was herself a form or swaroop of Devi Jagdamba. So Vibhishan goes against Ravana and joins the Lord Ram and becomes a major reason for the defeat of Ravan and his death.
3. Kumbhakarna
Kumbh Karan, the younger brother of Ravana, was an interesting character in the epic story Ramayana. Due to a curse, he spends most of his life in a deep sleep. He has a very huge physique.
He was most loyal to his elder brother Ravana. When Ravan abducted Sita ji and Ram to attack Lanka to get back Sita ji, Ravan ordered Kumbhakarna out of his sleep and fought against the Ram. When Kumbhakarna came to know about the scenario, he advised his elder brother to surrender because Kumbhakarna knew that Ram was not an ordinary human being but an incarnation of Vishnu.
But when Ravana refused to surrender, Kumbhakarna fought against Ram, knowing that it would be the last battle of his life.
As he was very loyal to his brother, he stuck on the part of Adharma besides knowing everything.
4. Khar
Khara was a major commander in Ravana’s army and ruled the land of Janasthana near the Dandaka forest. When Ravana’s sister, Shurpanakha, was humiliated by Ram and Lakshman, Khar attacked them with his army of danavas.
Despite his might, Khara was defeated and killed by Rama, an event that escalated the conflict between Rama and Ravana..
5. Dushana
Dushana, like Khara, was a Rakshasa soldier residing in Janasthana. He assists Khara, and they both regularly attack saints of the region and disturb their spiritual activities. Ram kills both Khara & Dushana in the Dandak forest during his mission of protecting the dharmik activities of the saints in the area.
6. Ahiravana
Ahiravana, also known as Mahiravana, ruled Patiala Lok. He was an expert in black magic and Tantra Vidhya. Ahiravana has played an important role in the latter part of the Ravana Ram yudh. He kidnaps Ram and Lakshman and takes them to Patal Lok. But Hanuman, in his Panchmukhi form, kills the Ahiravan and protects Ram Lakshman.
Lessons from the Character of Ravana Brothers
- Loyalty vs. Right Things: Brothers like Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna reflect a conflict between familial loyalty and ethics.
- Ambition and Greed: Ambition and Greed Ravana’s attack on Kubera and his desire for power and money reflect the destructive behavior of Ravana.
- Dharma always wins: The deaths of Khara, Dushana, and Ahiravana show the power of dharma and the outcomes of being on the path of Adharma.
Read Also – The Panchmukhi Hanuman Story and Its Connection to the Ramayana
Conclusion
The six brothers of Ravana make the Ramayana interesting and there is much more to learn from them. Their character taught them what to choose between dharma and dharma, good & evil, and much more.
Through their variable personality and stories, the Ravana brothers show the complexities of human nature, the results of choices, and the struggle between good and evil.
Ravana brothers remind us that there may be many conflicts within a family, but we must choose the right path that is better for ourselves and the whole of humanity. The story of Ravana’s legacy or Ravan God is packed with numerous lessons that are still relevant in today’s time. Ravan name is famous for his knowledge, art, and Shiv bhakti, but also he has a negative image in the mythological stories.
FAQs: Ravana Brothers
Which brother of Ravana was against him and joined the Ram?
Vibhishan was aware that Ravana was against the dharma and Ram was the avatar of Lord Vishnu, so he joined him.
Who is “the giant” brother of Ravana?
Kumbhakarna was Ravana's younger brother who has a giant physique.
