2020-11-12 Thu

The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India. But a lot of stories from Ramayan are not very well-known. Here is a compilation of some such interesting tales...! This is the story behind the ten heads of Ravana.

Ravana, one of the most powerful beings ever to roam the earth is also known as the supreme anti-hero in Ramayana. He was the king of Rakshasas and is depicted with 10 heads and 20 arms, giving him the name of “Dasamukha” (10 faced) or “Dasagriva” (10 headed).

The meaning behind 10 heads of Ravanas is rather symbolic than literal indicating his intellect. His ten heads symbolically represent the mastery over the ten scriptures i.e. the four Vedas- Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda and 6 Shastras- Sankhyashastra, Yog, Nyayashastra, Vaisheshik, Purvamimansa and Uttar Mimansa.

The above stamp was among the Indian Masks series which was issued in the year 1974. The stamp comes with the denomination of 2 Rupees and depicts the mask of Ravana which was used in Ram Leela plays or the “Ravana Dahan” on Dussehra.

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