The Son of Ravana: The Story of Ahiravan

When we think of Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, the names that come to mind are his powerful brothers, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and even the lesser-known Shurpanakha, his sister. Yet hidden in the depths of Hindu mythology lies another character, Ahiravan (sometimes called Mahiravan), Ravana’s brother who ruled the mysterious world of Patala Lok. His story, often overlooked in mainstream tellings of the Ramayana, brings out another dimension of Hanuman’s bravery and the constant struggle between light and darkness.

Ahiravan was the king of Patala Lok, the subterranean realm, and a master of dark sorcery and illusions. Unlike Ravana, who relied on his might and intelligence, Ahiravan wielded deceit, magic, and trickery. In some versions, he is considered the son of Ravana’s maternal uncle, while in others, he is directly referred to as Ravana’s brother. Known for his mastery over occult practices, Ahiravan could change forms at will, vanish into thin air, and summon powerful illusions to overpower his enemies.

During the great war of Lanka, Ravana, unable to defeat Rama directly, sought Ahiravan’s help. Using his magical powers, Ahiravan secretly entered the camp of Rama and Lakshmana at night, disguised as Vibhishana (Ravana’s noble brother who had joined Rama’s side). Before anyone could notice, Ahiravan carried Rama and Lakshmana deep into Patala Lok, intending to sacrifice them to his chosen goddess. This would not only destroy Rama and Lakshmana but also empower Ahiravan with unimaginable strength.

When Hanuman discovered the disappearance of Rama and Lakshmana, he immediately leapt into action. Guided by his unwavering devotion and unmatched courage, Hanuman followed Ahiravan into the depths of Patala. In Patala, Hanuman encountered new challenges: strange beings, magical traps, and Ahiravan’s vast army. Yet, his determination to protect Rama never wavered. Finally, Hanuman confronted Ahiravan in his temple, where the sacrifice was about to take place.

Ahiravan, confident in his powers, underestimated Hanuman. A fierce battle followed, with the demon king conjuring illusions and spells, while Hanuman relied on his strength, intelligence, and devotion. According to some texts, Hanuman learned the secret to Ahiravan’s death from the goddess herself: the demon could only be slain by simultaneously extinguishing five lamps burning in five directions. To achieve this, Hanuman took the form of Panchamukhi Hanuman (five-faced Hanuman)—with faces of Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva—extinguishing all lamps at once. In that moment, Ahiravan was destroyed, and Rama and Lakshmana were freed.

The story of Ahiravan is more than just a tale of battle, it carries profound symbolic meaning: Patala Lok represents the darker layers of the human mind, fear, ignorance, and illusion. Ahiravan embodies deceit and misuse of knowledge. Hanuman’s Panchamukhi form signifies the balance of power, wisdom, protection, courage, and devotion. The rescue of Rama and Lakshmana reflects that truth and righteousness (dharma) always triumph over illusion and trickery.

The episode of Ahiravan reminds us that Hanuman’s heroism was not limited to burning Lanka or carrying the Sanjeevani mountain. His courage extended to realms beyond the earth, proving that devotion can pierce even the darkest illusion. In remembering Ahiravan, we uncover a hidden jewel of the Ramayana, a story that reaffirms Hanuman’s role not just as a servant of Rama, but as a protector of dharma across all worlds.

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