List of epic Ramayana characters names (Glossary)

List of epic Ramayana characters names (Glossary)

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Just before going to “List of epic Ramayana characters names (Glossary)“, let us know a brief, basic and very important information.

Meaning of Ramayana : Ramayana = Rama + Ayana = Lord Sri Rama + Representing the story = Representing Lord Sri Rama story is called as Ramayana.

Ramayana happened in the Treya Yuga as per Hindu Puranas and epic Ramayana.

1 Kali Yuga (Present era) = 4,32,000 years. 1 Dwarapa Yuga (Lord Sri Krishna era) = 2 * Kali Yuga = 8,64,000 years. 1 Treta Yuga = 3 * Kali Yuga = 12,96,000 years. 1 Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga) = 4 * Kali Yuga = 17,28,000 years.

Thus a minimum of 8,69,000 (5k years of Kali Yuga + 8,64,000 years of Dwapara Yuga) years has passed since the end of a Treta Yuga.

In this post you will get information about the epic Ramayana characters (glossary) with the basic information about each of the characters.

In this post you will know about the following:

List of epic Ramayana character names (Glossary), List of epic Ramayana Vanara (Monkey) names,

List of epic Ramayana female character names, List of epic Ramayana Rakshasas (Demons) names,

List of epic Ramayana Rishi (Sages) (Maharishi) names, etc.

List of epic Ramayana characters names (Glossary) are as given below:

Lord Sri Hayagriva : The Moola Ramayana (Original Ramayana) has 100 Crore shlokas in it.

While the Valmiki Ramayana is a highly brief epic with 24k shlokas in it.

The Moola (Original) Ramayana was written by Lord Sri Hayagriya, an avatar of Lord Sri Vishnu.

Lord Sri Brahma Deva : Lord Sri Hayagriva preaches the full length 100 Crore Moola (Original) Ramayana to Lord Sri Brahma Deva.

Lord Sri Brahma preaches the same full length 100 Crore Moola (Original) Ramayana to Devarishi Narada.

Devarishi Narada : He preaches the same full length 100 Crore Moola (Original) Ramayana to Valmiki Rishi.

Valmiki Rishi : Valmiki Rishi father name is Pracheta. He writes the Ramayana with the total shlokas of 24k and names it Valmiki Ramayana. 

The Valmiki Ramayana is composed of about 480,002 words and it is being a quarter of the length of the full text of the Mahabharata [Composed by Lord (Sage) Sri Vedavyasa Ji].

Lord Sri Rama : He is an avatar of Lord Sri Vishnu. He is the direct form of Lord Sri Vasudeva (वासुदेव).

This form of Lord Sri Vasudeva is the  same form who blessed the 5 year old Dhruva (of Dhruva Nakshatra / polar / pole star / celestial star).

Goddess Sri Sita Devi : She is an avatar of Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi. She is the form of Goddess Sri Maya Devi, a form of Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi.

Dasharatha : Dasharatha was a Dharmic King of the great place of Ayodhya. He had ruled Ayodhya for over 9k+ years.

As per the Ramayana shloka 2.34.13, King Dasharatha had 250 + 3 wives, that is, totally 253 wives.

अर्धसप्तशतास्तास्तु प्रमदास्ताम्रलोचनाः। कौसल्यां परिवार्याथ शनैर्जग्मुर्धृतव्रताः।। 2.34.13 ।।

Meaning of the above shloka : Thereafter, Kausalya surrounded by three hundred and fifty ladies who were faithful to their vows, reached there slowly with their eyes turned wet in grief (Because Lord Sri Rama was going for forest exile).

The first three prominent wives of King Dasharatha were Kausalya Devi, Sumitra Devi and Kaikeyi Devi.

King Dasharatha parents names are King Aja (father) and Queen Indumati (mother).

Kausalya : She was the prime wife of King Dasharatha and mother of Lord Sri Rama. Her parents names are Sukaushala (father), Amritaprabha (mother). Her sister name is Vershini.

Sumitra : She was the second most important of King Dasharatha and mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Her parents belonged to Kashi (Varanasi).

Kaikeyi : She was the third most important and most loving wife of King Dasharatha. She was the mother of Bharata (Bharat) (भरत).

Kaikeyi father name is Ashvapati and she had a brother called Yudhajit. Kaikeyi was very listening to words of Manthara (She is the avatar of Alakshmi).

Lord Sri Hanuman : He is an avatar of Lord Sri Vayu Deva. In Dwapara Yuga he takes an avatar as Bhima and in Kali Yuga he takes the avatar of Sri Madhwacharya Ji.

Lakshmana : He is an avatar of Lord Sri Adishesha Naaga, the bed of Lord Sri Vishnu. In Dwapara Yuga he takes the avatar of Sri Balarama.

Bharata (Bharat) : In Sanskrit he is pronounced as (भरत). He is an avatar of Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Sri Vishnu.

He also has an avatar of Lord Sri Kama Deva. In Dwapara Yuga he was born as Lord Sri Krishna’s son Pradyumna.

Shatrughna : He is an avatar of a Devata (Demigod) called as Aniruddha.

In Dwapara Yuga he takes the avatar of Aniruddha, grandson of Lord Sri Krishna and son of Pradyumna. He is the form of Panchajanya Shankha of Lord Sri Vishnu.

Urmila : She is the daughter of King Janaka (Seeradhvaja) (father) and Sunayana (mother). Her husband name is Lakshmana.

Urmila sons names are Angada and Chandraketu. Urmila belonged to a place called Mithila of Videha region in today’s Nepal.

Mandavi : She is the daughter of King Kushadhvaja (father) and Chandrabhaga (mother). Her husband name is Bharata (Bharat) (भरत).

Mandavi sons names are Taksha and Pushkala. Mandavi belonged to a place called Mithila of Videha region in today’s Nepal. Later her father Kushadhvaja shifted to a place called Sāṃkāśya (सांकाश्य).

Shrutakirti : She is the daughter of King Kushadhvaja (father) and Chandrabhaga (mother). Her husband name is Shatrughna.

Shrutakirti sons names are Subanu and Shatrughati. Shrutakirti belonged to a place called Mithila of Videha region in today’s Nepal. Later her father Kushadhvaja shifted to a place called Sāṃkāśya (सांकाश्य).

Kusha : He is the eldest son of Lord Sri Rama and Goddess Sri Sita Devi. He is an avatar of Lord Sri Indra Deva.

Kusha in Sanskrit means grass. The city of Kasur (Kushavati) in Pakistan is named after Kusha.

Lava : He is the youngest son of Lord Sri Rama and Goddess Sri Sita Devi. He is an avatar of Lord Sri Agni Deva.

One of the meanings of Lava in Sanskrit is soft wool. The city of Lahore (Lavapuri) in Pakistan is named after Lava.

Angada II : He is the eldest son of Lakshmana and Sri Urmila Devi.

Chandraketu : He is the youngest son of Lakshmana and Sri Urmila Devi.

Taksha : He is the eldest son of Bharata (Bharat) (भरत) and Sri Mandavi Devi. The great Takshashila (Taxila) is named after Taksha himself.

Pushkala : He is the youngest son of Bharata (Bharat) (भरत) and Sri Mandavi Devi.

Subahu : He is the eldest son of Shatrughna and Sri Shrutakirti Devi.

Shatrughati : He is the youngest son of Shatrughna and Sri Shrutakirti Devi.

Vibhandaka (Rishi) : He belongs to the great lineage of Maharishi Kashyapa. His son name is Rishyashringi (Rushyashringi).

He comes at the initial part of Bala Kanda of Ramayana. His Ashram (hermitage) was located in Shringeri in present day Karnataka.

Rishyashringa (Rishi) : He belongs to the great lineage of Maharishi Kashyapa. His father name is Vibhandaka Rishi.

He also comes at the initial part of Bala Kanda of Ramayana. He is the husband of Shanta, the daughter of King Dasharatha. Since he a shringa (horn) on his head, he was called as Rishyashringa.

Rishyashringa is the same Rishi who performs the Ashwamedha Yagna and Putrakameshti Yagna for Dasharatha and his wives.

Shanta : She is the daughter of King Dasharatha and wife of Rishyashringi Rishi. King Romapada didn’t had any children and thus Dasharatha donates Shanta to him.

Thus foster father of Shanta is King Romapada and foster mother name is Vershini.

Sumantra : He was famously named as Arya Sumantra and was the Prime Minister in the court of King Dasharatha at Ayodhya. Without consulting Sumantra, King Dasharatha was almost not doing any work.

Sumantra was one who became the Sarathi (Charioteer) of Lord Sri Rama, Goddess Sri Sita Devi and Lakshmana to move outside of Ayodhya (Sarayu river) during their start of forest exile.

Sumantra had objected Kaikeyi Devi about the 14 years forest exile of Lord Sri Rama.

Siddhartha : He used to be a highly respected minister during King Aja period. King Aja was the father of King Dasharatha.

Siddhartha had also objected Kaikeyi Devi about the 14 years forest exile of Lord Sri Rama.

Trijata (Brahmin) : He was a Brahmin (Brahmana) in the Kingdom of Ayodhya. He was not following his Brahmin Dharma and thus was a poor man and also was not begging for money from anyone.

Once he meets Lord Sri Rama. At that time, Lord Sri Rama instructs him to follow his Brahmin Dharma and also donates 1000 cows to this Trijata Brahmin (Brahmana).

This Trijata Brahmin (Brahmana) is different and the demoness Trijata who was living in demon King Ravana Kingdom was different. This demoness Trijata was the daughter of Vibhishana.

Manthara : Manthara was also called as Kubja, as she had hunch-backed, ugly and antagonistic appearance.

Manthara was an incarnation of Alakshmi. Alakshmi takes birth during the Samudra Manthan and is also called as Jeshta Lakshmi as she was born as the elder sister of Goddes Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi.

Janaka : King Janaka’s original name was Seeradhvaja. Janaka is the common name of all the Kings belonging to his lineage.

Janaka was the king of Mithila (Videha region) and the father of Goddess Sri Sita Devi and Sri Urmila Devi. He was a wise and kind king. Mithila (Videha region) belongs to today’s Nepal region.

King Janaka wife name is Sunayana. King Janaka belonged to another Suryavansh (Suryavanshi) (Suryavamsha) (Solar family) of King Nimi.

King Janaka’s parents are Hrasvaroman (father), Keikasi (mother). He had a brother called as Kushadhvaja.

Kushadhvaja : He was the younger brother of King Janaka (Seeradhavaja). King Janaka’s parents are Hrasvaroman (father), Keikasi (mother). He also belong to King Nimi lineage as said above.

While Janaka was the King of the region Mithila, the King of Sāṃkāśya (सांकाश्य) called Sudhanvan, attacked Mithila.

At that time, King Janaka (Seeradhavaja) killed Sudhanvan in the war, and made his brother Kushadhvaja as the King of Sāṃkāśya (सांकाश्य).

Sudama : He was the Prime Minister in the court of King Janaka (Seeradhavaja) at Mithila (Videha region). (This Sudama is different and Lord Sri Krishna’s childhood friend Sudama is different.)

Vasishtha Maharishi : He was the Guru of all the Suryavanshi Kings (Solar dynasty) starting from King Ikshvaku and was also the Guru of King Dasharatha and other Kings who came later.

Vasishtha Maharishi was son of Lord Sri Brahma Deva and one of his Manasa Putra (Son born from the mind). Vasishtha Maharishi wife name is Arundhati.

During the Ashwamedha Yagna and Putrakameshti Yagna done by King Dasharatha, Vasishtha Maharishi was one of the prominent priest.

Jabali Maharishi : Jabali (जाबालि) Maharishi was also a prominent priest during the Ashwamedha Yagna and Putrakameshti Yagna done by King Dasharatha.

Jabali Maharishi lived and practiced penance in the sacred location of today’s Tirumala, a place known today as “Jabali Theertham“, near Tirupati.

People now visit this place to solve serious Graha Doshas and worship the other Devatas (Demigods) like Lord Sri Hanuman and Lord Sri Vighneswara (Ganesha).

Markandeya Maharishi : Markandeya Maharishi was also a prominent priest during the Ashwamedha Yagna and Putrakameshti Yagna done by King Dasharatha.

Markandeya Maharishi parents names are Mrikandu Rishi (father) and Marudmati (mother).

Markandeya Maharishi was rescued by Lord Shiva from Lord Sri Yama Deva and thus Lord Shiva is called as Lord Mrityunjaya.

Suketu : Suketu was a Yaksha and was the father of the demoness Tataka.

Suketu performed a yajna to get an successor (heir). He want the successor (heir) with the strength equal to thousand elephants. Thus, after the yajna, he got a daughter named Tataka.

Nirvani : Nirvani was a Yakshini (Female Yaksha) and she was also a niece of Yaksha King Suketu.

Tataka : Tataka used to be a beautiful woman who was later transformed into a demoness (rakshasi), once she tried to seduce the Maharishi Agastya.

As a demoness, Tataka used to drink the blood of living creatures especially humans and used to kill anything she sees.

With the request of Vishwamitra Maharishi, Lord Sri Rama slayed her by cutting her body into several pieces.

Maricha : Maricha was a demon and his parents names are Sunda (father) and Tataka (mother). He and his counterparts were ruling the Dandakaranya (Dandaka forest).

Maricha was an ally of the demon King Ravana. His brother name was Subahu who will be killed by Lord Sri Rama.

Maricha plays the vital role as a golden deer in abducting Goddess Sri Sita Devi.

Subahu : Subahu was a demon (rakshasa) and his mother name was Tataka.

Subahu and his mother Tataka, took immense pleasure in harassing the Rishi (Sages) inside the forest.

Both Subahu and Taka were causing problems to Maharishi Vishvamitra and his team, by disrupting his yajnas with rains of flesh and blood.

The great Maharishi Vishvamitra approached King Dasharatha for help in getting rid of these demons.

King Dasharatha after multiple efforts accepted to send his son Lord Sri Rama and Lakshmana with Maharishi Vishwamitra to the forest to slay Subahu and Tataka.

Vishwamitra Maharishi : Vishwamitra Maharishi, through long hard penance became ‘Brahmarishi‘. He is equal to Vasishtha Maharishi is capability and hierarchy.

Vishwamitra Maharishi appears in the Bala Kanda of Ramayana and took Lord Sri Rama along with Lakshmana on a quest to defeat a demons like Tataka, Subanu, Maricha, etc. and to lift the bow of Lord Shiva called as Shiva Dhanush.

Gautama Maharishi : He appears during the Bala Kanda of Ramayana. His wife name is Ahalya Devi.

Gautama Maharishi son name is Shatananda Rishi. He has been honoured as one of the Saptarishis.

Ahalya Devi : She is the wife of Gautama Maharishi and also the mother of Shatananda Rishi.

Ahalya meaning : Ahalya = A + Halya = Never + pure, never make mistake, etc. Ahalya Devi is someone who is pure and never made any mistake.

Gautama Maharishi curses Ahalya Devi thinking she was in a relationship with Lord Sri Indra Deva.

In Treta Yuga, Lord Sri Rama clears the curse of Ahalya Devi.

Shatananda : Shatananda Rishi was the Guru in the court of King Janaka (Seeradhvaja) at Mithila in Videha region.

Shatananda Rishi parents names are Gautama Maharishi (father) and Ahalya Devi (mother).

Lord Sri Indra Deva : He appears in the Bala Kanda of Ramayana. Once he becomes intimate with Ahalya Devi and thus Gautama Maharishi curses Lord Sri Indra Deva.

Lord Sri Indra Deva parents names are Maharishi Kashyapa and Aditi Devi.

Lord Sri Vishnu in his avatar as Vamana becomes the younger brother of Lord Sri Indra Deva and is called as Upendra (Younger brother of Indra).

(Note : We should always remember that both Lord Sri Indra Deva and Ahalya Devi are not ordinary humans. To understand the situation of intimacy between them we need to know Ramayana under a correct Vaishnava Guru.)

Guha (Nishada Raja) : Guha (Nishada Raja) is the king of the forest tribe called Nishadas and also a childhood friend of Lord Sri Rama.

Guha (Nishada Raja) belonged to the tribe who were living mostly in the forest and mountain regions and their (Nishadas) main occupation was fishing.

Guha (Nishada Raja) helped Lord Sri Rama, Goddess Sri Sita Devi and Lakshmana to cross the Ganges river.

Shabari : Shabari is an elderly ascetic who was highly devoted to Lord Sri Rama. Her Guru was Matanga Rishi.

As Shabari’s Guru Matanga Rishi had instructed her to worship Lord Sri Rama, she waited for him for several years.

Finally Shabari met Lord Sri Rama along with Lakshmana after the abduction of Goddess Sri Sita Devi by demon King Ravana.

Shabari helped Lord Sri Rama to find the great Vanaras (Monkeys) Sugriva and Hanuman.

Jambavan : Jambavan is the son of Lord Sri Brahma Deva. When Lord Sri Brahma Deva yawned, this divine bear Jambavan was born. Jambavan was an avatar of Lord Sri Yama Deva.

In Sanskrit Jambhaka (जम्भक) means yawning. Since he was born when Lord Sri Brahma Deva yawned, he came to be known as Jambavan.

Jambavan had participated in the Lanka war between Lord Sri Rama and the demon King Ravana.

Jambavan had a beautiful daughter named Jambavati. Jamabavati’s original name is Rohini. She gets married Lord Sri Krishna during the Dwapara Yuga.

Vali : Vali was an avatar of Lord Sri Indra Deva and was highly powerful. He was the king of Kishkindha.

Vali was the son of Vriksharaja (Riksharaja) (father) and his younger brother name is Sugriva, the avatar of Lord Sri Surya Deva.

Vali was the husband of Tara and father of Angada. Few people pronounce Vali name as Bali or Baali which is incorrect.

Lord Sri Indra Deva again takes avatar as Arjuna during the Dwapara Yuga (Mahabharata) period.

Vali was slayed down by Lord Sri Rama as he had done Adharmic work.

(Kishkindha is present in today’s north Karnataka.)

Tara : Tara was the daughter of physician Sushena (An avatar of Lord Sri Varuna Deva).

Tara was the wife of the King of Kishkindha Vali, and the mother of Angada. She is regarded as one of the pancha-kanyas.

Sugriva : Sugriva is an avatar of Lord Sri Surya Deva. Sugriva was also a Vanara King similar to Vali.

Sugriva was the younger brother of Vali (An avatar of Lord Sri Indra Deva), whom Vali succeeded as King of Kishkindha.

Sugriva wife name is Rumā. Sugriva helped Lord Sri Rama in his quest to free Goddess Sri Sita Devi from the clutches of the demon King Ravana.

Rumā : She is the wife of Sugriva, an avatar of Lord Sri Surya Deva.

Anjana : Anjana was an apsara named Punjikastala in her earlier life and was born on earth as a vanara princess.

Anjana husband name is Kesari, a Vanara (Monkey) chief and he was the son of Brihaspati (Planet Jupiter).

Anjana was the mother of the divine Lord Sri Hanuman. Since Anjana is the mother of Hanuman, he is also called as Anjaneya.

Kesari : He abode was in Mount Meru. His father name is Brihaspati (Planet Jupiter) and he is the father of the divine Lord Sri Hanuman. Kesari wife name is Anjana.

Nala : He is an avatar of Vishwakarma, the Engineer-Architect of the Devatas (Demigods). He is been credited for the construction of the Rama Setu.

Nala father name is Lord Sri Agni Deva and his twin brother is Nila. He was also involved in the war between Lord Sri Rama and demon King Ravana in rescuing Goddess Sri Sita Devi.

Nila : Nila is the son of Lord Sri Agni Deva and also was the commander-in-chief of the Vanara (Monkey) army in the war between Lord Sri Rama and demon King Ravana in rescuing Goddess Sri Sita Devi.

Along with his twin brother Nala, Nila is also credited for constructing the Rama Setu.

Meinda : Meinda was part of the Vanara (Monkey) army. He is one among the avatars of the twin brothers Ashwini Kumars. While the other brother name is Dvivida.

These Ashwini Kumars in their original forms are called as Nasatya (Meinda) and Dasra (Dvivida).

These same Ashiwini Kumars again take birth as Nakula (Meinda) and Sahadeva (Vivida) during the Dwapara Yuga period, that is, during Mahabharata period.

Dvivida : Dvivida was part of the Vanara (Monkey) army. He is one among the avatars of the twin brothers Ashwini Kumars. While the other brother name is Mainda.

These Ashwini Kumars in their original forms are called as Nasatya (Mainda) and Dasra (Dvivida).

These same Ashiwini Kumars again take birth as Nakula (Mainda) and Sahadeva (Dvivida) during the Dwapara Yuga period, that is, during Mahabharata period.

Angada I : Angada was the son of Vali (father) and Tara (mother) and was a Vanara (Monkey).

Angada is an avatar of Jayanta, the son of Lord Sri Indra Deva. Angada played very important role in the war between Lord Sri Rama and demon King Ravana.

Makaradhvaja : This name is also pronounced as Makardhwaja. He was born from the sweat of Lord Sri Hanuman which enters into a Makara (crocodile).

Since he is born from a Makara (crocodile), he is called as Makaradhvaja. He was living in Patala Loka along with a demon King Ahiravana. He was a Vanara (Monkey).

Sharabha : He was part of the Vanara (Monkey) army. His father name is Parjanya.

Sushena : He was a Vanara (Monkey) and was serving as the Physician in the same army. He is an avatar of Lord Sri Varuna Deva.

Sushena is the same Physician Doctor who tells Hanuman to bring the Sanjivani plant and also gives the treatment to Lakshmana.

Jatayu : Jatayu was the younger son of Aruna (father) (charioteer of Lord Sri Surya Deva) and mother name is Shyeni.

Jatayu was the younger brother of Sampati. He belonged to the Pakshi (Birds) lineage.

Jatayu was an old friend of King Dasharatha (Lord Sri Rama’s father). The huge bird Jatayu was killed by demon King Ravana when he (Jatayu) tried to save Goddess Sri Sita Devi during her abduction.

Sampati : Sampati was the elder son Aruna (father) (charioteer of Lord Sri Surya Deva) and mother name is Shyeni.

Sampati was the elder brother of Jatayu. He belonged to the Pakshi (Birds) lineage.

Sampati was a great supporter of Lord Sri Rama. When many Vanaras including Hanuman were searching Goddess Sri Sita Devi, Sampati instructs that demon King Ravana has abducted her.

Kubera : He belonged to Yaksha lineage. His parents names are Vishrava (father) and Ilavida (mother).

Kubera was a half-brother of demon King Ravana. Originally the Golden Lanka belonged to Kubera, but later Ravana snatches it from Kubera.

Kubera wife name is Bhadra and he has four children namely Nalakuvara, Manibhadra and Mayuraja (sons) and one daughter name Meenakshi.

Pulastya Maharishi : He was a Brahma Manasa Putra (Born from the mind of Lord Sri Brahma Deva).

Pulastya Maharishi wife name is Havirbhoo (Kardama Rishi daughter). Both Pulastya Maharishi and Havirbhoo had two sons namely Agastya Maharishi and Vishrava Rishi.

Agastya Maharishi : Agastya Maharishi was a son of Pulastya Maharishi (father) and Havirbhoo (mother) and brother of sage Vishrava Maharishi.

Agastya Maharishi technically was an uncle of the demon King Ravana. Agastya wife name is Lopamudra.

Agastya and his wife Lopamudra met Lord Sri Rama, Goddess Sri Sita Devi, and Lakshmana during their forest exile and gave them a divine bow and arrow.

Vishrava (Rishi) : Vishrava Rishi was the son of Pulatsya Maharishi, the brother of Agastya Maharishi and the grandson of Lord Sri Brahma Deva.

Vishrava Rishi had two wives namely Ilavida and Kaikasi. With Ilavida, Vishrava Rishi had Kubera as son and with Kaikasi, Vishrava Rishi had Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and Shurpanakha as children.

Ilavida : Ilavida was the wife of Vishrava Rishi and her parents names are Trnabindu or Bharadwaja (father) and Alambusa (mother).

Ilavida son name is Kubera, the King of Yakshas. Ilavida brother name is Garga.

Kaikasi : Kaikasi or Kaikeshi or keshani or Pushpothkatha was the wife of Vishrava Rishi, and mother of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and Shurpanakha.

Kaikasi was a daughter of a Rakshasa (Demon) King Sumali (father) and Ketumati (mother). Kaikasi was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

Ravana : Ravana was the demon (rakshasa) King of Lanka. Ravana was the son of Vishrava Rishi (father) and Kaikasi (mother).

Ravana performed penance of Lord Sri Brahma Deva, and in return he received a blessing from Lord Sri Brahma Deva that he cannot be killed by any God, demon, or other beings, except human(s).

Ravana had two wives namely Mandodari and Dhanyamalini. Ravana children names are: Indrajit (Meghanath), Atikaya, Akshayakumara, Narantaka, Devantaka, Trishira.

Mandodari : Mandodari was the chief consort of the demon King Ravana. The epic describes her as beautiful, pious, and Dharmic (righteous).

Mandodari was the daughter of Mayasura (father) and an apsara named Hema (mother).

Mandodari had two sons: Meghanath (Indrajit) and Akshayakumara. Mandodari had two siblings namely Mayavi (brother) and Dundubhi (brother).

Mandodari always insisted on freeing Goddess Sri Sita Deva, as she was aware of Lord Sri Rama and Goddess Sri Sita Devi avatar purpose.

Dhanyamalini : Dhanyamalini was the second wife of the demon King Ravana.

One of the information tells that she is the daughter of Mayasura (father) and and sister of Mandodari.

Dhanyamalini is the mother of the Atikaya, Atikaya, Narantaka, Devantaka and Trishira.

Kumbhakarna : Kumbhakarna was 2nd son of Vishrava Rishi (father) and Kaikasi (mother). He had a gigantic body.

Kumbhakarna was the younger brother of the demon King Ravana and the elder brother of Vibhishana and Surpanakha.

Kumbhakarna wives names are Vajrajwala and Karkati. His children names are Kumbha and Nikumbha (from Vajrajwala) and Bhimasura (from Karkati).

Kumbhakarna was one of the Rakshasas (demons) who opposed the demon King Ravana’s abduction of Goddess Sri Sita Devi.

Nikumbha : His parents names are Kumbhakarna (father) and Vajrajwala (mother). His brother names are Kumbha and Bhimasura.

Vibhishana : Vibhishana parents names are Vishrava Rishi (father) and Kaikesi (mother).

Vibhishana wife name is Sarama and they had three children namely Trijata (daughter), Taranisena (son) and Neela (son).

Vibhishana after he was disrespected by the demon King Ravana, deserted Ravana and joined Lord Sri Rama’s army.

Later, when Lord Sri Rama defeated Ravana, Lord Sri Rama crowned Vibhishana as the King of Lanka.

Vibhishana was a youngest brother of the demon King Ravana. Vibhishana although a rakshasa (demon) himself, had a highly noble character and also a great devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Sarama : Sarama was the wife of Vibhishana. She had three children namely Trijata (daughter), Taranisena (son) and Neela (son).

Sarama and Trijata both were friendly with Goddess Sri Sita Devi when she was abducted by the demon King Ravana.

Later Sarama became the Queen of Lanka after the death of the demon King Ravana.

Shurpanakha : Here Shurpanakha means, someone who has sharp nails. Shurpanakha was the daughter of Vishrava Rishi (father) and Kaikasi (mother)

Shurpanakha was the younger sister of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana. Her husband name was Vidyutjiva.

Lakshmana cut off Shurpanaksha nose and left ear and sent her back to Lanka. This happened in today’s Nasik in Maharashtra and thus the name Nasik (In Sanskrit nose means nasika).

Sumali : Sumali was the son of the demon King Sukesa (father) and Gandharva princess Devavati (mother).

Sumali had two brothers namely Malyavana (Malyavan) and Mali. Sumali wife name is Ketumati.

Sumali and Ketumati had ten sons namely: Prahasta, Akampana, Vikata, Kalikamukha, Dhumraksha, Danda, Suprasva, Sanhradi, Praghasa, and Bhaskarna.

Sumali and Ketumati also had four daughters namely: Raka, Puspotkata, Kaikasi, Kumbhanasi.

One of his daughters Kaikasi was married to Vishrava Rishi, who later gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and Shurpanakha.

Dhumraksha : Dhumraksha was a maternal uncle of the demon King Ravana. Dhumraksha was one of ten sons of Sumali (father) and Ketumati (mother). Dhumraksha was killed by the mighty Hanuman.

Dushana : In Sanskrit his name meaning is adulterated. Dushana, a demon was a man-eating rakshasa.

Dushana is the twin brother of Khara, younger male cousin brother of the demon King Ravana.

Dushana was the son of Kaikesi’s sister Raka. All these demons ruled the Dandakavana (forest).

After Lakshmana cut-off Shurpanakha nose and ears, Khara and Dushana went to war against Lakshmana and Rama. During this fight, Dushana was killed by Rama.

Khara : Khara was twin brother of Dushana and the son of Kaikeshi’s sister Raka. He used to be a man-eating demon.

Khara was the younger male cousin of the demon King Ravana. Khara was killed by Lord Sri Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana when he attacked Lord Sri Rama after Shurpanakha’s humiliation.

Akampan : In Sanskrit Akampana = A + Kampana = Cannot + Shaken = He is someone who cannot be shaken (defeated) easily.

His name is also pronounced as Akampana. He was a maternal uncle of the demon King Ravana.

Akampan was one of ten sons of Sumali and Ketumati. He also had four sisters.

Akampan survived the battle between Lord Sri Rama and Khara, Dushana along with Shurpanakha.

Akampan escaping the battle, instigated demon King Ravana to abduct Goddess Sri Sita Devi. Later he was killed in the battle by Hanuman.

Indrajit (Meghanath) : Indrajit is also called as Indrajita or Meghanatha or Meghanath or Meghanada.

Indrajit was a Prime Prince of Lanka. He got the name Indrajit as he had won over the Indra Loka (Svarga Loka).

Indrajit was the eldest son of the demon King Ravana (father) and Mandodari (mother).

He was named Indrajit (Indrajita) by Lord Sri Brahma Deva as he defeated Lord Sri Indra Deva and took over Indra Loka (Svarga Loka).

Indrajit was killed by Lakshmana in the battle of Lanka.

Akshayakumara : His name is also pronounced as Akshaykumar. He is the youngest son of the demon King Ravana and Mandodari.

Akshayakumara was killed by the mightly Hanuman during the encounter in Ashok Vatika.

Atikaya : He had very huge body and thus the name Atikaya. Atikaya = Ati + Kaya = Very huge + Body.

Atikaya was a son of the demon King Ravana (father) and his wife Dhanyamalini (mother).

Atikaya was killed by Lakshmana by the Brahmastra, as per the advice given by the Lord Sri Vayu Deva (Wind God) at the behest of Lord Sri Indra Deva.

Devantaka : He got this name as he had defeated Devatas (Demigods). Devantaka = Devas + Antaka = Demigods + Defeated.

Devantaka was the son of the demon King Ravana (father) and Dhanyamalini (mother). Devantaka was killed by the mighty Hanuman.

Trishira : In Sanskrit Trishira = Tri + Shira = Three + Heads = He is someone who had three heads.

Trishira was a son of the demon King Ravana (father) and Dhanyamalini (mother). He was killed by the mighty Hanuman.

Narantaka : In Sanskrit Narantaka = Nara + Antaka = Humans + Killers = He was someone who was killing humans without any mercy.

Narantaka was a son of the demon King Ravana (father) and Dhanyamalini (mother). He was killed by the powerful Angada.

Mayasura : His parents are Shambara (father) and Mayavati (mother). Mayasura siblings are Shringaketu, Kumbhaketu, and others. Mayasura wife name is Hema.

Mayasura children names are: Mayavi, Dundubhi, Mandodari, Bala and Dhanyamalini.

Hema : Hema used to be an apsara in Lord Sri Indra Deva‘s abode (Svarga Loka).

When Mayasura visited Svarga Loka, he saw Hema and married her. They had 2 sons and their names are Mayavi and Dundubhi, and daughters Mandodari and Dhanyamalini.

Hema as she was an apsara and thus can’t stay on earth for long time and she later left all of the above and returned to Svarga Loka.

Ganga (Goddess) : Goddess Sri Ganga Devi is a divine being and the daughter of Himavan (father) and Mainavati (mother).

Goddess Sri Ganga Devi siblings are Goddess Sri Parvati Devi and Mainaka (A mountain of the ocean) Goddess Sri Ganga Devi son name is Devavrata (Bhishma).

Goddess Sri Ganga is not an earth being and she belonged to Svarga Loka and thus she was given back to the Devatas (Demigods).

Later, with the intense tapas (penance) of the King Bhagiratha, she came down to earth as Bhagirathi.

Prahasta : Prahasta was a son of Sumali (father) and Ketumati (mother). He had 9 brothers and 4 sisters.

One of Prahasta’s sister was demon King Ravana’s mother Kaikesi and thus Prahasta was a maternal uncle of the demon King Ravana and was also the commander-in-chief of Lanka’s army.

Jambumali : Jambumali was one of the 8 sons of Lanka’s commander-in-chief Prahasta. Jambumali was killed by the mighty Hanuman during the encounter in Ashok Vatika.

Kabandha : Kabandha used to be a Gandharva named Vishvavasu or Danu. He was cursed and made into an ugly and carnivorous demon by Lord Sri Indra Deva.

Lord Sri Rama and Lakshmana encounter this Kabandha on their way in the search of Goddess Sri Sita Devi.

Both Lord Sri Rama and Lakshmana sever Kabandha’s arms and proceed to cremate his corpse.

After the death, Kabandha regains his divine Gandharva form and directs Lord Sri Rama to the Rishyamukha mountain, where he (Lord Sri Rama) find Sugriva.

In Ramayana, Kabandha doesn’t has head or neck and has only one eye.

Malyavan : Malyavan was a maternal granduncle of the demon King Ravana.

Malyavan was one of 3 sons of Sukesha. Malyavan had two younger brothers and their names are Sumali and Mali.

Malyavan’s wife was Sundari. Malyavan and Sundari had seven sons and their names are: Vajra Mushti Viroopaksha, Durmukha, Suptaghna, Yagyakopa, Matta (मत्त), and Unmatha (उन्मत्त).

Malyavan and Sundari also had one daughter named Analaa. Malyavan was one of the demon who always opposed demon King Ravana’s abduction of Goddess Sri Sita.

Lord Shiva : Lord Sri Rama has showed us how to pray Lord Shiva and other Devatas (Demigods) in Ramayana.

On the other hand Lord Shiva always and continuously chants Lord Sri Rama‘s name.

Lord Shiva wive name is Goddess Sri Parvati Devi and they have 2 sons namely Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.

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