29/06/2020
The Ten Heads of Ravana
According to 'Ramayan', Ravana was the son of a Brahmin father sage Vishravas (also called Vishravan), a Prajapati (Lord Brahma's descendants, Pulastya was the Grandfather of Ravana), and a Rakshasa mother Kaikesi, thus attaining a status of ‘Brahmarakshasa’.
He is depicted with ten heads and hence was also called as Dasamukha (ten-faced), Dasanatha (ten-headed), Daśagrīva (ten-necked), Dashanan (ten-headed), Daśakaṇṭha (ten-throated).
According to superstring theory, there are at least 10 dimensions in the universe (M-theory actually suggests that there are 11 dimensions to spacetime).
The ten heads are key for a metaphor for his ability to see into all ten dimensions of the ‘Tree of Life’ or ‘Cube of Space’. His consciousness extended through the ten dimensions of reality.
Ravana's form conveys his function of multi-dimensional awareness, of consciousness, through his 20 eyes, seeing into all realms and dimensions of space-time, that is fully illuminated consciousness.
Ravana’s ten heads also symbolizes the 4 Vedas and the 6 Shastras he had mastered, making him one of the greatest scholars and Vidhwaan (intellectuals) of his times.
Another interpretation of his ten heads are the ten indriyas (5 Gyanendriyas + 5 Karmendriyas) or senses in a human:
1. K**a (lust)
2. Krodha (anger)
3. Lobha (greed)
4. Moha (delusion)
5. Mada (pride)
6. Mastsarya (envy)
7. Manas (mind)
8. Buddhi (intellect)
9. Chitta (will)
10. Ahankara (ego)
The great asura emperor Mahabali also advised Ravana to shun nine indriyas (human emotions) and keep only Buddhi (intellect).
Only the first son born of Dasaratha (translates as ten-chariots) who is Lord Sri Ram could defeat and vanquish Ravana's nine human vices.
Dasaratha means one who has reined over all the ten-chariots which signifies the ten indriyas (5 Gyanendriyas + 5 Karmendriyas).
This was a curse of King Anaranya from the Ikshvaku Dynasty (Solar Dynasty) who was killed by Ravana in battle, that Ravana will be slayed from a descendant of his dynastic lineage.
Besides, Sri Ram could only assume victory when he worships Lord Rudra (Shiva) and his 11 forms called as Eka-dasha Rudras, which represents Rudra's consciousness awareness of the 11 Dimensions. Hanuman is considered an 'Amsha' (Essence) of Shiva's and his 11th dimensional form.
Lord Ram worshipped Lord Rudra at Rameshwaram before heading to Lanka.
The final invocation in Sri Ram's quest to slay Ravana was the Prayer to the 12 Vedic Solar Deities (Dwadasha Adityas) in the form of 'Aditya Hridayam' (The Hymn to the Heart of the 12 Adityas) narrated by Sage Agastya.
'Aditya Hridayam' had to be chanted 3 times which gave Sri Ram the vision to shoot an arrow to the Sorcerer, Illusionist and Black Magician Ravana's navel.
Such was the knowledge of Ravana in political science and statecraft that Rama after defeating Ravana suggested Lakshmana to learn Politics and Duties of a King ( Arthashastra - Science of Politics) from the dying Ravana.
