| Ravananugraha | |
|---|---|
 Ravananugraha, Tiruvannamalai | |
| Affiliation | Shaivism |
| Weapon | Trishula |
| Consort | Parvati |
Ravananugraha or Ravananugraha-murti ("form showing favour to Ravana"[1]) is a benevolent aspect of the Hindu god Shiva, depicted seated on his abode Mount Kailash with his consort Parvati, while the rakshasa-king (demon-king) Ravana of Lanka attempts to uproot it. According to Hindu scriptures, Ravana once tried to lift Mount Kailash, but Shiva pushed the mountain into place, and trapped Ravana beneath it. For a thousand years, the imprisoned Ravana sang hymns in praise of Shiva, who finally blessed him and granted him an invincible sword and a powerful linga (Shiva's aniconic symbol, Atmalinga) to worship. The theme is popular in Indian art and is found as early as the Gupta-Pallava era (300–600 CE).[2]
- ^ Dallapiccola, Anna L. (2003). "Ravananugrahamurti". Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-51088-9. (subscription required)
- ^ Brown, Robert L. (1991). Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God. Albany: State University of New York. p. 181. ISBN 0-7914-0657-1.