Ahiravan

For the 1940 film, see Mahiravana (film).
Ahiravan

Ahiravan

Ahiravan and Mahiravan crushed by Hanuman, sometimes Ahiravan and Mahiravan are described as a brother duo.

In the Krittivasi Ramayan, Ahiravan (Ahiravan or Mahiravan), 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.[1]

In the Ramayana, during the battle between Rama and Ravana, when Ravana’s son Indrajit is killed, Ravana calls his brother Ahiravana for help. Ahiravana, the king of Patala (the Underworld), promises 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 into the room where Rama and Lakshmana are. Ahiravana makes many attempts at entering the room but all of them 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 has 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 which is guarded by a creature, who is half Vanara and half reptile. Hanuman asks who he is and the creature says, "I am Makardhwaja, your son!" Hanuman is confused since he did not have any child, being an adept Brahmachari. The creature explains, "While you were jumping over the ocean, a drop of your semen (veeriya) fell to the ocean and into the mouth of a mighty crocodile. This is the origin of my birth."

After defeating his son, Hanuman enters Patala and encounters Ahiravana and Mahiravana. They have a strong army and Hanuman is told by Chandrasena that the only way to vanquish them is by blowing out five different candles located in five different directions, all at the same time in return for a promise to be Lord Rama's consort. Hanuman assumes his five-headed form (Panchmukhi Hanuman) and he quickly blows out 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 in Kavya style in the 16th century by Madayya kavi.[2]

The story of Ahiravan was made into a Telugu film in 1940 by Ghantasala Balaramaiah entitled Mahiravana. The veteran actor Vemuri Gaggaiah played the role of Ahiravan.[3]

Filmography

Year Name Channel Country Played by
2006 Raavan (TV series) Zee TV India Shahbaz Khan (actor)

See also

References

  1. ↑ SankaTamochana Archived 21 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Mairavan charitra, A Dictionary of Indian Literature by Sujit Mukherjee; Page: 219.
  3. ↑ Mahiravana 1940 film at IMDb.
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