Ravana

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(from the causal of the Sanscrit ru, cry, alarm; hence literally he who causes alarm) is the name of the Rakshasha (q.v.) who, at the time of Rama, ruled over Sri Lanka or Ceylon, and, having carried off Sita, the wife of Rama, to his residence, was ultimately conquered and slain by the latter. Ravana is described as having been a giant with ten faces, and, in consequence of austerities and devotion, as having obtained from Siva a promise which bestowed upon him unlimited power, even over the gods. As the promise of Siva could not be revoked, Vishnu evaded its efficacy in becoming incarnate as Rima, and hence killed the daemon-giant. — Chambers's Encyclop. s.v. (See Vishnu).

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

In the Hindu mythology the king of the demons, who carried off Sita, the wife of Râma, to Ceylon, which, with the help of the monkey-god Hanuman, and a host of quadrumana, Râma invaded and conquered, slaying his wife's ravisher, and bringing her off safe, a story which forms the subject of the Hindu epic, "Râmâyana."