Introduction
Lord Shiva is also popularly known as Ravan Anugraha Murti, since he has shown great benevolence towards Ravana, when he worshipped him sincerely.
After Ravana defeated his brother Kubera, who was ruling the famous Alagapuri Kingdom, which is situated near the Holy Mount Kailash, he was on the way to his kingdom Lanka, and while he was driving his divine plane, near the holy Mount Kailash, he was unable to fly above that sacred place. Due to that, Ravana met Lord Shiva’s attendant, the great Nandi Bhagavan, and asked him the reason for the stoppage of his Vimana( Divine Plane).
Lord Nandi had told to Ravana that since Lord Shiva and Parvati dwells on the holy mountain, no one was allowed to enter that sacred place. Insulted by the words of Lord Nandi, Ravana showed his anger on him. Nandi Bhagavan has cursed Ravana, that in future his kingdom would be destroyed by a powerful Vanara. But Ravana didn’t take the words of Lord Nandi in a serious manner, but decided to shake the Holy Kailash, on his powerful twenty hands. Due to that, the sacred Mount Kailash began to slightly shake, and this made Ma Parvati to become terrified, and hence she embraced Lord Shiva.
This act made Lord Shiva to get anger with Ravana, and in order to teach a nice lesson to Ravana, Lord Shiva made Ravana to get trapped under the Mount Kailash. Due to that, for several years, Ravana was imprisoned under the mountain, and in order to get out from his sufferings, Ravana sang marvellous songs in praise of Lord Shiva, and as a result, Lord Shiva was very much pleased with him, and granted a powerful weapon and also given him a Holy Shiva Lingam for his worship.
We can find various postures of Lord Shiva and Ravana in many ancient Shiva Temples, describing this ancient incident. Though Ravana was a cruel demon, yet, he was a great Shiva Devotee, and during his period, he regularly used to perform Shiva Puja at his Lanka Palace.
The above incident teaches a nice lesson to those who act against the wishes of the god. No one can wage a war with the god, since we cannot win over him. Only through our staunch bhakti, we could win his heart, and can become one of his best devotees.
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
Sent By
R.Harishankar
