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Lanka

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For the town of Lanka, see Lanka, Assam.

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19thcentury painting depicting Rama preparing for war against Ravana.

Lanka (Sanskrit: लंका lankā, means "island") is the name given in Hindu mythology to the island fortress capital of the king Ravana in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and is the ancient name for present day Sri Lanka. The fortress was situated in a plateau between three mountain peaks known as the Trikuta Mountains Trincomalee. The ancient capital city of Lanka was burnt by Lord Hanuman.

After Ravana was killed by Lord Rama, Ravana's brother Vibhishana ruled the kingdom. His descendants ruled the kingdom even during the period of the Pandavas. As per the epic Mahabharata, the Pandava Sahadeva had visited this kingdom during his southern military campaign for the Rajasuya sacrifice of Pandava king Yudhisthira.

Rulers of Lanka

Lanka was originally ruled by a Rakshasa named Sumali (as per Ramayana). Later it was taken by Visarvana (Kubera) who was a Yaksha. From him, Rakshasa Ravana, took the rulership of Lanka. Rama killed Ravana and installed his brother Vibhishana on the throne of Lanka.

According to Mahabharata, Yaksha king Vaisravana alias Kubera was the ruler of Lanka. His capital was guarded by Rakshasas.His cousin Ravana fought with Kubera in battle and obtained the sovereignty of Lanka from him. Ravana ruled Lanka as the king of Rakshasas. Having slain the king of the Rakshasas, viz Ravana, with his brother Kumbhakarna, and sons and kindred, Rama installed in the kingdom of Lanka the Rakshasa chief, Vibhishana, pious, and reverent, and kind to devoted dependants.

Rama's invasion and conquest of Lanka

Places Related to Ramayana. Shows how Rama travelled from Ayodhya to Lanka.

According to the story set forth in the Ramayana and (in an abbreviated version) in the Mahabharata (Book III: Varna Parva, Section 271 ff.), Ravana was a powerful king in Lanka who ruled Lanka as well as reasonable area in India. Laxman who was Rama's brother cut off Ravana's sister Surpankha's nose when she was going to assault Sita. To avenge this, Ravana captured Sita and carried her off to his fortress in Lanka.

The Battle of Lanka is depicted in a famous bas-relief in the 12th century Khmer temple of Angkor Wat.

See also

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