Ravanugraha Panel Depicting Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash
Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash
Situated on the northeastern side of the main hall of Cave 1, the Ravanugraha panel shown in the image depicts a scene from the episode of Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, narrated in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
As with many of the panels in Cave 1, this relief is weathered and damaged, and many of the figures are difficult to identify. Before examining the details of the panel, here is a brief account of the story.
Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka), was returning after victory over Alaka, the celestial city of Kubera, located in the Himalayas near Mount Kailash. As he journeyed back to Lanka in his plane, the Pushpaka Vimana, he attempted to fly over Mount Kailash.
When he arrived at Mount Kailash, the heavenly abode of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva’s attendant Nandikeshvara refused to let him pass the mountain because Shiva and Parvati were resting on the mountain.
With his ego bruised, Ravana decided to demonstrate his immense strength by lifting Mount Kailash itself. As Ravana attempted to raise the mountain, Shiva merely held it down. Enraged further, Ravana wrapped his twenty arms around the mountain and began shaking it violently.
Shiva, however, remained calm and simply pressed the mountain down, trapping Ravana beneath it. Realizing Shiva’s supreme power, Ravana repented and began singing hymns in praise of Shiva. Pleased with his devotion and repentance, Shiva eventually forgave Ravana and released him.
The Ravanugraha panel captures an important moment from this story: Ravana attempting to shake Mount Kailash while Shiva, seated calmly at the center of the panel, effortlessly presses the mountain down.
The original figure of Shiva is believed to have had eight arms, though only three remain visible. However, his face and head are largely intact.
Shiva is also depicted with three eyes, the third eye symbolizing supreme knowledge and cosmic insight. Beneath Shiva is Ravana, shown attempting to shake the mountain with his twenty arms, only a few of which remain intact.
Shiva’s son Ganesha is shown on the left side of Shiva, while Vishnu, the other deity of the Hindu trinity, appears on his right. The skeletal figure on the left is identified as the sage Bhringi (see the story Ardhanarishvara with Sage Bhringi). Hovering above are celestial beings, including a Vidyadhara couple, yakshas, and gandharvas.
Related Pages
– Ravana shaking Mount Kailash in Banteay Srei Temple, Cambodia
– Badami
– Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
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