How much of a Rakshasa was Ravana?

Here's something I find interesting. Ravana is often referred to as a Brahman by patrilineal descent from Rishi Vishrava. Biologically, I think most people say he was half Rakshasa and half Brahman. But let's analyze his heritage a little more closely, based on the Uttarakanda of Valmiki.

The Rakshasa story begins with the Rakshasas Heti and Praheti.

Heti, Praheti = 100% Rakshasa.

Heti marries Bhaya, sister of Yama/Kaal. They have a son, Vidyutkesa.

Vidyutkesa = 50% Rakshasa + 50% Deva

Vidyutkesa was married to Salakatankata, daughter of Surya and Sandhya. They have a son, Sukesa.

Sukesa = 25% Rakshasa + 75% Deva.

Sukesa was married to Devavati, daughter of a Gandharva named Gramani. They have 3 sons: Mali, Sumali and Malyavan.

Mali, Sumali, Malyavan = 12.5% Rakshasa + 37.5% Deva + 50% Gandharva.

The 3 brothers were married to the 3 daughters of a Gandharva woman named Narmada. They have many children. I won't list them all because they are not all important for this analysis. Of Sumali's 10 sons and 4 daughters, the one important for this discussion is obviously Kaikesi.

Kaikesi = 6.25% Rakshasa + 18.75% Deva + 75% Gandharva.

Kaikesi married Rishi Vishrava. They had several children of whom the eldest and most important one is Ravana.

So, finally, Ravana = 3.125% Rakshasa + 9.375% Deva + 37.5% Gandharva + 50% Brahmana.

So, in terms of genetics, Ravana was actually only 3.125% Rakshasa! 😆 Not only that, he also had genetic relations to Devas and Gandharvas besides the obvious Brahmana connection. 😊

Thanks for the info...very interesting! I think he is referred to as a rakshasa because of his deeds more than his heritage.😊😉

Yes but his heritage is really interesting and it's surprising how little of a genetic connection he had to the Rakshasas.

If we go further and do the math for Indrajeet this is what we get. Ravana married Mandodari, daughter of Maya Danava and Apsara Hema.

Now, Mandodari = 50% Danava + 50% Apsara.

I will count the apsara genetics as I have counted the rest.

Therefore, Indrajeet = 1.5625% Rakshasa + 4.6875% Deva + 18.75% Gandharva + 25% Brahmana + 25% Danava + 25% Apsara.

Fantastic genetic khichdi. 😆

Thanks for the information Kal El. Very interesting 😊

Where on earth did you unearth all this from? 😆 😆 😆

heheh kal this is so hilarious

Originally posted by: Vibhishna

Thanks for the information Kal El. Very interesting 😊

Where on earth did you unearth all this from? 😆 😆 😆

You're welcome. LOL every time I go back to reading/researching the Ramayana I hit upon fun trivia like this. 😉

Originally posted by: Kal El

You're welcome. LOL every time I go back to reading/researching the Ramayana I hit upon fun trivia like this. 😉

Cool! Keep sharing it all with us. We'd love to know what all comes up from research on the Ramayan 😛

Originally posted by: chatterbox

heheh kal this is so hilarious

oh my god i cant stop laughing

heheh good laughter

ya where did u get this info eh

😆

Lalitha

You just shredded Indrajit's reputation w/ Chatter 😆 But I guess the Brahmhatya thing that applied to Ravan didn't apply to Indrajit, since he was only 25% Brahmin.

Kal

So Ravan was more of a deva, a brahman and other things than a rakshasha. He should have campaigned for Indra's position, not just throne, or alternately, the Gandharva throne and then forced Rama to wipe out him and the devas/gandharvas (something Bharat did anyway) 😆, and leave the innocent rakshashas intact.

You are a fantastic rakshashologist - a term I coined for rakshasha experts.

Just for comparison, how much of a rakshasha was Prahlad, Bali (his grandson) and Ghatotkacha?